Each month, Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey polls Americans to assess their attitudes toward homeownership, renting, mortgage rates, the economy, their personal finances, and overall consumer confidence. February’s survey found respondents’ attitudes stabilizing and more confident in the economy and housing market. Among the highlights, the number of participants who said the economy was on the right track increased 5 percent from January and has risen 19 percent since November. The percentage of people who say it’s on the wrong track dropped by 6 percent. Also, Americans expect home prices to rise approximately one percent in the next year and the number who say now is a good time to sell a house is at its highest level in over a year. Among respondents, 70 percent said now was a good time to buy a home and 65 percent said they’d prefer to purchase their next home rather than rent. Doug Duncan, vice president and chief economist of Fannie Mae, said the pickup in hiring over the past few months has helped soothe consumer concerns regarding their personal finances, the direction of the economy, and their views of the housing market. More here.