EXCLUSIVE: New poll shows 82% of voters support capital gains reform for home sales

A new national survey shared exclusively with the Washington Reporter by the American Property Owners Alliance (APOA) underscores growing voter support for reforming capital gains taxes on home sales, as housing affordability continues to climb the list of top economic concerns.

The survey of 1,000 likely voters, conducted March 30 to April 2 by OnMessage Public Strategies, found that 70 percent of voters oppose the current capital gains tax on home sales, with majorities across party lines. A 56 percent majority say the tax harms the middle class, compared to just 26 percent who believe it is necessary to ensure wealthy taxpayers pay their fair share. 

Most strikingly, the poll shows an overwhelming 82 percent support indexing the capital gains threshold for inflation, a policy designed to prevent long-term homeowners from being taxed on inflation-driven gains. 

The findings reflect broader anxiety about the housing market. Housing costs now rank among the top economic concerns for Americans, particularly younger voters, while 74 percent say taxes and regulatory burdens on home sales are limiting supply by discouraging homeowners from selling. 

APOA, a bipartisan property rights advocacy group focused on expanding homeownership and reducing barriers to mobility, has been actively advancing reforms aimed at unlocking inventory and lowering costs for buyers. The group argues that the current capital gains structure traps homeowners in place, contributing to tight supply and higher prices.

The issue is gaining traction in Washington. President Trump has said his administration is “thinking about no tax on capital gains on houses,” signaling openness to sweeping changes aimed at boosting housing supply and mobility. Sen. Ted Cruz has also championed bipartisan efforts to index capital gains to inflation, including through legislation that would reduce tax burdens on long-held assets such as homes and encourage more market activity. 

A Senate Republican source familiar with the discussions said on background, “Policymakers have long believed that reforming capital gains treatment for home sales is good politics and good policy, but these numbers are still striking. There’s almost nothing that gets 82% support. President Trump has a chance for a huge affordability win by lowering housing costs for millions of Americans.”