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New study shows buyers and sellers more comfortable with moving.

Prudential Real Estate, an HSF Affiliates LLC real estate brokerage network, released results of its fourth quarter Consumer Outlook Survey indicating that consumers’ perception of residential real estate is increasingly favorable, and that consumers are more committed to buying and selling homes in 2014 than they were during the previous year.

In fact, favorability toward real estate reached 78% among all respondents, a 5-point jump from the previous quarter and 15 points higher than at year-end 2012. Millennials’ perception of real estate is most favorable, peaking at 87%. Respondents’ growing optimism yields resolve, as 76% of likely transactors and 63% of all survey participants indicated they were more committed to buying/selling homes in 2014.

Here are some interesting results:

•    Consumers are more committed to buying and selling homes in 2014. 76% of likely transactors and 63% of all survey participants indicated they were more committed to buying/selling homes this year.

•    Millennials are key drivers in the growth of market trust. 87% of Millennials have a favorable perception of the real estate market overall.

•    Homeownership remains important to Americans for both financial and personal reasons. 96% of Americans say that owning a home is important to them and 72% agree that finding the right home and community is crucial to helping their family be happy.

•    More than ever, consumers look to real estate agents for sound guidance. 61% of respondents who have considered buying or selling a home within the past year say they need help navigating the process and that they can’t do it on their own. 62% of all respondents said a good agent can help maximize homeownership investment.

Respondents acknowledged that macro-economic events of 2013, such as government sequestration and rising interest rates, impacted their personal finance decisions. However, they look to the new year with anticipation: A full 65% are optimistic about the housing market in 2014 and a nearly 60% believe home sales will increase during the year. Half of all respondents believe that the rate of appreciation in U.S. home values will slow this year
after a strong run in 2013.

While financial concerns certainly play a role in the decision to buy or sell, homeownership remains a deeply personal decision. Owning a home is important to 96% of Americans, and 78% agree that homeownership is an important part of the American dream. When asked about their experience buying and selling in today’s economy, 72% of respondents said that finding the right home and community are crucial to their family’s happiness.

These and other hurdles call for advice and guidance from real estate professionals. A full 64% of survey respondents indicated that a good agent can help them make the right choices about the type of home and community they want; 62% said a good agent can help maximize homeownership investment. Among millennials, 70% said a good agent can help them maximize their investment and 62% say now, more than ever, they look to a real estate agent for sound guidance on a real estate transaction.