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A total of 811 U.S. county housing markets, or 52 percent, were rated as "better off" than they were two years ago, compared to only 176 markets, or 11 percent, categorized as "worse off," according to RealtyTrac's 2014 Election Housing Scorecard released on Tuesday. Meanwhile, 560 counties for a total of 36 percent were categorized as a "toss-up" as far as the health of housing market in those counties. The total population of the markets in the better off category was about 140 million.
RealtyTrac's election housing scorecard rated 1,547 county housing markets in the U.S. based on five factors that affect the health of housing: housing affordability, unemployment rates, median home prices, and foreclosure starts all compared with two years ago, as well as the percentage of seriously underwater homeowners. Colorado led all states on the election housing scorecard with 99 percent of its counties, 33 out of 35, ranking in the better off category.
Stagnant income growth and uncertainties about the economy's future have spurred more Americans to putting a tight lid on their monthly spending, according to a new poll. In survey findings released Tuesday, Bankrate.com reported that two-thirds of American consumers are now limiting how much they spend each month. Of those who have had to draw their purse strings tighter, 32 percent cited stagnant income as the main reason, while 29 percent said they need to save more. Sixteen percent cited worries about the economy in general.
