Fewer Americans delaying homebuying due to financial restraints

Only 14 percent of Americans reported that costs have stopped them from getting into the housing market, down 8 percent from 2015.

While less Americans are delaying life decisions, liking getting married and having children, there are still many who do, thanks to high costs, according to a new survey from the American Institute of CPAs by The Harris Poll. Overall, 35 percent of adults have postponed at least one life decision for financial reasons, down from 51 percent in 2015.

Six percent have delayed married, while 7 percent have delayed children, due to finances. Thirteen percent have delayed pursuing a higher education and 12 percent have delayed a medical procedure. However, like housing, the percentage of those delaying life decisions has dropped across all areas since 2015.

The top factor people delay life decisions was lack of savings, according to 60 percent, which was the same as 2015. The second reason was concerns about the U.S. economy at 38 percent, which dropped 22 percent since 2015. Thirty-four percent said medical bills, the only category to increase since 2015.

For those Americans who were forced to postpone life decisions, the top concern cited was a lack of savings (60 percent), the same percentage as 2015. Concerns about the U.S. economy, the second biggest concern, dropped 12 percent since 2015. Bills, excluding mortgages, were a hindrance for 29 percent, and credit card debt impacted 27 percent.

Sixty-eight percent that they have made at a minimum of one positive change to their financial style since the recession, but that is down 18 percent from 2015.