Last week, we asked you to share how you’ll be voting in the upcoming election.
Although surveys and anecdotes from sources inside and outside of the real estate industry, such as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and The Washington Post, revealed that many Americans are undecided — Inman’s readership is anything but.
Nearly 48 percent of the 1,086 respondents said they planned to vote for Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton lagged behind by 15 percentage points: Only 32 percent of respondents plan to vote for Clinton.
Gary Johnson, the former New Mexico governor who’s running on the Libertarian Party ticket, has been capturing record-high poll numbers for a third-party candidate during this election cycle. That trend is borne out in our survey; almost 11 percent of respondents said they planned to vote for Johnson.
Dr. Jill Stein was the least popular candidate, garnering 0.92 percent of respondents’ support.
Just shy of 6 percent of the survey-takers are still undecided, with 60 days left until the election.
What issues are important?
According to the survey, the top issues are the state of the economy and foreign policy, with respondents saying these issues would “strongly affect” their votes.
Housing was also important to survey-takers — however, it was beaten not only by the economy and foreign policy, but also terrorism and immigration concerns, indicating that survey respondents are more focused on those four issues than housing.
When asked about their optimism about the economy and housing market, nearly 45 percent of respondents are equally optimistic about both issues compared to how they felt last month.
But nearly 39 percent are at a breaking point — they reported that they feel less optimistic about the economy and housing.
Why Trump?
Trump has no previous political experience, and supporters are using his experience as a businessman and real estate developer as a predictor of how he would perform as commander-in-chief.
“Not only am I a Realtor, but I also have an international business degree, so the election is very simple to me. People are only going to be able to buy or sell homes if their taxes are low and their income is stable or growing,” noted one respondent.
“Hillary plans to raise taxes on individuals and businesses. There is no way our economy can grow unless we cut taxes and government expenses. Trump is the only one who would be able to bring businesses back to the U.S., increase our productivity, and be able to lower taxes. I am very excited that Donald Trump is running, and am definitely voting for him!”
Trump has yet to share his housing platform, but respondents are banking on Trump’s ability to quell their pessimism.
His campaign website does feature a five-point economic plan that hinges on job creation and lowering taxes — something that respondents said should trickle down into a stronger housing market.
“If you are a Realtor or in real estate, you need to consider a president who will make the economy a top priority, especially jobs. Jobs are directly proportional to housing. No or bad job, no house. Plain and simple,” said another survey taker.
According to his economic platform, Trump says he’ll enact the “biggest tax reform since Reagan” by:
- Simplifying taxes for everyone and streamlining deductions
- Lowering taxes for everyone
- Dramatically reducing income taxes
- Slashing income tax brackets from 7 brackets to 3 brackets
- Limiting taxation of business income to 15 percent
Besides the hope that Trump will greatly improve the economy and housing industry, other respondents hope he will make America safer through a strongman approach to foreign policy and terrorism — the third and fourth most important issues to Inman readers who took the survey.
“The upcoming election is not about real estate. Rather, it is about restoring our American ideals, which will have a direct effect on every talking point on the table,” says a respondent.
“It is not advisable to have an untruthful president but it’s worse to have one that is both untruthful and anti-American. At least Trump demonstrates that he is for bringing back tried and true Americanism.”
Although Trump doesn’t have a complete foreign policy platform listed on his site, he does expand on his “pay for the wall” plan that he claims will cut down on illegal immigration and keep Americans safer by making it harder for “gangs, drugs and cartels” to come across our borders.
What about Hillary?
Not everyone who is voting for Trump is necessarily confident in his political prowess. Instead, they believe a vote for him will stop what they see as the greater of two evils — Hillary Clinton.
Some Trump supporters acknowledged Clinton’s extensive political experience and intelligence, but they simply don’t trust her after the Benghazi and email scandals.
“I’m not that crazy about Trump; however, I think Hillary has broken trust with the American people and does not deserve to be in the White House,” said a survey taker.
“My Trump vote is only because I can’t vote for Clinton. [The] least of two evils,” said another.
Besides the aforementioned scandals, respondents are nervous that Clinton will reenact her husband’s housing policies. One respondent called Bill Clinton “the WORST president for housing EVER.”
Although Clinton’s supporters were relatively silent on the survey, some took to the comments on the “How are you voting the upcoming election?” article to highlight her long public service career and stances on issues like gender equality.
“Hillary has been in public service for 40+ years and has established excellent international relationships to help this country succeed,” said one reader.
“I will be voting for Hillary Clinton. She has an amazing record on women’s rights. Her record on human rights, in general, is exemplary,” said another.
“She is smart, she has experience and she knows the limitations of the office of the presidency.”
Not the time for third-party candidates
Supporters on both sides of the aisle admitted their voting choice is based on choosing the “the lesser of two evils.”
But a few respondents questioned that train of thought and urged others to consider third-party candidates Gary Johnson and Dr. Jill Stein.
“Let Gary Johnson debate. We are not just a two-party system. May be time to hear a differing opinion,” said a respondent in support of the Independent candidate.
A Jill Stein supporter said the Green Party candidate will be able to effectively reduce student debt and improve the environment, both of which would enable “homebuyers to increase their buying power significantly.”
But the majority of respondents seemed to think 2016 isn’t the time to buck the system.
“I think it is very important that people vote, especially for viable candidates and not third-party candidates who will only split the votes,” said a respondent.
What now?
There are two months left until the election — and our poll respondents are, in general, hoping that Donald Trump will move into the White House.
No matter who you vote for, do your research and continue having the tough discussions that make democracy work.
If you’re interested in learning more about your chosen candidate, the opposing candidate or just need help making a decision, check out these candidate sites:
- Donald Trump’s Official Campaign Site
- Hillary Clinton’s Official Campaign Site
- Gary Johnson’s Official Campaign Site
- Dr. Jill Stein’s Official Campaign Site
