By Greg Stitz, Ohio REALTORS Director of Research

In 2012, when the question was first asked, 17 percent of respondents expressed optimism that strict lending practices would ease during that year. This year, 42 percent of respondents to Ohio REALTORS January 2018 housing market confidence survey indicated optimism that strict lending practices would ease up in 2018. This finding reflects a 25 percent increase in optimism over the five-year period. 2018 findings also show that 14 percent of respondents are not optimistic lending practices will ease and 44 percent believe they will stay the same.

Survey results are based on responses to a monthly survey, designed to capture the effects of the existing economic conditions and trends on the real estate industry, sent to a pool of 1,500 Ohio REALTORS participants