Hispanic homebuying confidence falls despite brighter financial outlook
Hispanic consumer confidence improved slightly in the second quarter, but fewer said it was a good time to buy a home, a Florida Atlantic University survey found.
Hispanic consumers became slightly more optimistic about their personal finances in the second quarter, but fewer believe it is a good time to buy a home, according to a new survey.
The nationwide survey, by Florida Atlantic University, found 38% of Hispanic adults said it was a good time to buy a home in Q2 2026, down from 42% in the first quarter and 46% in the final three months of 2025.
The decline came even as FAU’s Hispanic Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 76.01 from 73.94 in the first quarter. The index, which measures views about personal finances and broader economic conditions, remained well below its fourth-quarter 2025 reading of 85.8.
“Housing remains the missing piece in recovery,” said Monica Escaleras, chair of the economics department in FAU’s College of Business. “Since homeownership remains one of the primary ways Hispanic families build wealth, the continued weakness in housing sentiment is a warning sign.”
The results suggest that improving expectations about household finances have not yet translated into greater confidence in the housing market. About 67% of Hispanic consumers expect to be financially better off during the next year, up from 58% in the first quarter.
However, 52% said they were financially worse off than a year earlier, and 76% reported that the cost of living had increased. Only 42% said it was a good time to make major household purchases, unchanged from the first quarter and down from 48% in late 2025.
“Hispanic consumers are clearly feeling some relief, particularly in terms of their expectations for the economy,” Escaleras said.
She said lower gasoline prices and a temporary easing of Middle East tensions late in the quarter may have helped lift confidence, although future energy-price changes could affect sentiment.
The findings point to continued hesitation among potential homebuyers even when they expect their finances to improve. Housing costs, borrowing conditions and broader cost-of-living pressures may remain barriers for households considering a purchase.
The results are based on an online survey of 514 Hispanic adults conducted from April 1 through June 30. The national survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.32 percentage points.
© 2026 Florida Realtors®