Mortgage Crisis

National Survey of 1,000 Adults

December 9-10, 2007

1* A large number of homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages will have their interest payments increase next year. How serious a problem is this for the United States economy?

57% Very serious

24% Somewhat serious

10% Not very serious

2% Not at all serious

7% Not sure

2* If a large number of people default on their mortgages and lose their home to foreclosure, how serious a problem will that be for the United States economy?

64% Very serious

22% Somewhat serious

9% Not very serious

2% Not at all serious

3% Not sure

3* If someone cannot afford to make increased mortgage payments, is it better for the government to assist them in making their payments or should they sell their homes and find a less expensive home?

29% Better for the government to assist them

57% Should sell their homes and find a less expensive home

13% Not sure

4* Some people bought homes with an adjustable rate mortgage that gave them lower payments up front but the possibility of higher payments down the road as interest rates increased. Does the government have the right to prevent mortgage companies from charging then higher interest rates called for in the mortgage agreement?

36% Yes

41% No

22% Not sure

5* If housing prices decline significantly, how serious a problem will that be for the United States economy?

32% Very serious

35% Somewhat serious

20% Not very serious

5% Not at all serious

8% Not sure

NOTE: Margin of Sampling Error, +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence

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