WASHINGTON, DC – Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index showed fewer consumers think home prices will go up over the next 12 months and slightly more think now is a good time to buy a home.

“Our February results show the most modest consumer home price expectations since late 2012,” said Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae.

“A slower pace of home price appreciation may provide some relief for potential homebuyers, especially first-time buyers who couldn’t reap the benefits of selling a home at high prices to buy another one.”

• The net share of respondents who said that it is a good time to buy a house rose. About 63 percent of respondents say it is a good time to buy a house.
• The net percentage of those who said it is a good time to sell a house fell 2 percentage points.