A monthly housing survey indicates half of the respondents are optimistic about obtaining credit for a mortgage, an increase over the 45 percent who felt that way one year ago, despite the recent rise in mortgage rates. This survey from December marks the highest sentiment of respondents since Fannie Mae began tracking consumers’ attitudes three years ago. Respondents who think it is a better time to sell their house and to buy a house both rose in the survey, MHProNews has learned from nationalmortgagenews.com. Says Doug Duncan, chief economist at Fannie Mae, “The marked improvement in housing market sentiment over the course of 2013 bore out our view going into the year that the housing recovery was on a firm footing. These consumer attitudes should support a continued but measured housing recovery as we move through 2014.”

(Photo credit:  Greg Vote/Getty Images–two-story  manufactured home for sale)