By NAHB Now
Single-family builder sentiment fell back to a level of 86 in December, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), after achieving an all-time high of 90 in November. The dip was due to growing concerns over housing affordability in 2021. However, December’s HMI was still the second highest on record.
Supply-side pressures, such as resurgent lumber prices, limited lot supplies, supply-chain issues, and a persistent skilled labor deficit foreshadow higher costs and longer build times heading into next year. Moreover, on the demand side of the housing market, limited inventories of single-family homes have generated strong price gains in 2020.
The deployment of a vaccine, while representing good news for the overall economy, will place upward pressure on interest rates. In turn, the combination of higher prices and rising rates will price some households out of the housing market next year.
