By Ashok Chaluvadi | NAHB
According to the January 2024 survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, high interest rates were a significant issue for 90% of builders in 2023, and 77% expect them to be a problem in 2024. The second most widespread problem in 2023 was rising inflation in US Economy, cited by 83% of builders, with 52% expecting it to be a problem in 2024.
The cost and availability of labor was a significant problem to only 13% of builders in 2011. That share has increased significantly over the years, peaking at 87% in 2019. Fewer builders reported this problem in 2020 (65%), but the share rose again in 2021 (82%) and 2022 (85%). The share eased slightly in 2023 to 74%. A similar 75% expect the cost and availability of labor to remain a significant issue in 2024.