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Only 5% of Americans surveyed in a Harris Poll said they plan to refinance their mortgage this year, while just 1% said they expect to take out a home equity line of credit.

The poll was conducted online between Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 and the responses were to the question "which of the following do you expect to do in 2012 in regards to your finances?" Multiple responses were permitted. The refi and HELOC responses were both a percentage point lower in the current survey than they were for the December 2010 survey.

By demographic group, 9% of Gen X'ers (defined as those between 35 and 46), said they are looking to refi in 2012, while 4% of those 47 to 65 and 2% of those 66 and over responded positively to the question.

Meanwhile, 11% of the respondents said they would make home improvements to increase the value of their property. This was down two percentage points from the previous year. But 15% of the Baby Boomer category (those between 47 and 65) said they would undertake such a path this year, compared with 8% of those 18 to 34 and 9% of those 35 to 46 and 66 and over.

When asked about their expectations for the U.S. economy in 2012, 47% said they expected it to stay the same, while 29% said it would get worse and just 23% said it would improve.