Its Property Tracker survey, carried out by YouGov, revealed 44% of respondents think now is a good time to buy property, compared to 25% who do not.
That is a marginal improvement on the last survey, carried out in March, when 41% deemed it a good time to buy and 29% were negative.
Consumers in Scotland, the South East and the North East were the most optimistic about the market, with 49%, 48% and 47% believing now is a good time to buy respectively.
London was among the least positive at 42%, possibly reflecting higher house prices in the capital.
When it came to barriers preventing people from buying homes, the inability to save a big enough deposit is the factor cited by 64% of respondents, while 57% don’t think they would get a big enough mortgage to buy and 51% are too worried about their lack of job security to commit to a property purchase.
Only 21% are put off buying by the possibility of future falls in property prices.
A third think prices will increase next year, while 29% think they will fall, and 20% think there will be no change.
BSA head of mortgage policy Paul Broadhead (pictured) said: “Although there has been a stream of gloomy economic news recently and the uncertainty about the eurozone has increased dramatically, consumers’ views on the housing market remain remarkably solid.
“Many people believe that it is currently a good time to buy, and about one in eight (12%) will be looking to enter the market or move in 2012, especially in London where 21% intend to buy.”
He added that the government’s announcement of its new build indemnity scheme shows how important housing is to the UK economy.
Broadhead said: “The fact that confidence is not weakening is reassuring. More is in the pipeline to help break down the barriers to home ownership, although this must always be tempered with a responsible approach to lending as home ownership is not always the most appropriate choice for everyone.
“So far this year, building societies and other mutual lenders have supported those who have wanted to buy property, with gross lending by mutuals up 15% year on year, while across the rest of the market mortgage lending is slightly down.”
