Fewer home buyers are interested in foreclosed properties than they were in May, a new survey reports.

A poll conducted Nov. 5-9 by Harris Interactive showed that 43 percent of adults were at least somewhat likely to consider purchasing a foreclosed home someday, compared to 55 percent in May.

Still, the survey reports, there is strong interest in foreclosed properties among real estate investors, renters and move-up buyers. The survey was conducted for Trulia.com and RealtyTrac.

Renters are showing strong interest in buying foreclosed properties with 57 percent at least somewhat likely to purchase a distressed home in the future. Additionally, younger adult renters are significantly more likely to purchase a foreclosed home: 61 percent of renters ages 18-34 and 65 percent of renters between the ages of 35-44 are at least somewhat likely to consider purchasing a foreclosure compared to only 40 percent of renters 55 years and older.

With the recently expanded housing tax credit including a new $6,500 credit available to current homeowners looking to purchase a new home or trade up, interest levels in purchasing foreclosed properties will likely increase during the next several months. Currently, 24 percent of homeowners are at least somewhat likely to “trade up” to a larger home, and of these, 88 percent are at least somewhat likely to consider a foreclosed property, according to the survey.

Meanwhile, foreclosures present significant opportunities for investors. According to the survey, 23 percent of all adults are at least somewhat likely to purchase a second home or investment property, and of these, 92 percent are at least somewhat likely to buy a foreclosed property.

Consumers expect to get a lot for their dollar when purchasing foreclosed homes and are willing to invest: nearly two out of three U.S. adults (65 percent) expect a discount of 30 percent or more when buying a foreclosed property. Respondents in the Northeast expected the biggest discounts, with 43 percent expecting foreclosed homes to be discounted by 50 percent or more.

“Even during the darkest economic times, dreams don’t die. Foreclosures are providing never before seen opportunities for new segments of homebuyers and allowing renters to become first time buyers, allowing investors to grab great deals and allowing families to trade up to larger homes,” said Trulia co-founder and CEO Pete Flint. “Until unemployment levels off and starts to get better, we expect foreclosures to continue to play a big role in the 2010 housing market.”

According to the survey, 95 percent of U.S. adults are willing to invest money in renovations when purchasing a foreclosed property. Additionally, more than half (55 percent) of respondents are willing to spend 20 percent or more of the purchase price to make improvements on a distressed property. Trulia found in a separate study that that the average person invests up to $30,000 when purchasing a new home for things such as furniture, paint, hot water heaters, etc. As more consumers purchase distressed properties, excess housing inventory levels will decrease and additional money will be poured into other industries, helping to stimulate the economy as a whole.

“The most active and qualified buyers in today’s market are highly interested in foreclosures, which is not surprising given the discount that often comes with a foreclosure purchase,” said Rick Sharga, senior vice president of RealtyTrac. “It is somewhat surprising that consumers cite hidden costs as the biggest negative aspect to buying a foreclosed home because most bank-owned foreclosure sales include the same title protections and other safeguards that are in place for non-foreclosure sales. As myths such as this are put to rest and consumers take more time to educate themselves on the process for purchasing foreclosures, they will be able to take advantage of the great bargains that currently exist in the real estate market.”

The November survey found slightly lower levels of negative sentiment towards purchasing foreclosed properties; 81 percent of U.S. adults compared to 85 percent in May 2009.