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Americans are demonstrating a more bullish outlook for the real estate market today. Despite recent economic volatility, consumer belief in real estate as a good investment is unshaken.

In fact, the majority of America’s potential homebuyers and sellers—68 percent—believe that the real estate market and property values will recover in the next year or two, according to the 2011 Prudential Real Estate Outlook Survey released yesterday.

"Our survey clearly demonstrates that Americans continue to be optimistic about the real estate market and believe that home prices will rise," says Jim Mallozzi, CEO of Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services. "A key takeaway from the survey is although consumers recognize that it is a good time to buy, they are concerned about their ability to sell their homes. This is one of the reasons the market is still struggling to recover."

Additionally, the majority of respondents—75 percent—highlighted the importance of real estate agents in the process of buying or selling their home. "Americans continue to see real estate agents as having a very important role in helping them price, buy and sell their homes," adds Mallozzi. "Although the data underscores the value real estate agents provide, it also shows that the industry needs to continue to work hard to meet clients’ unique needs."

The Prudential Real Estate Outlook Survey of 1,253 Americans between the ages of 25-64 in the market for buying a home was conducted Jan. 20-27.