David J. Phillip/AP
- Expensive lumber has added to the costs of new houses in a year when all house prices have skyrocketed.
- NAHB found that soaring lumber costs have added $35,872 to the average price of a new home.
- Experts are concerned that high home prices will hinder homebuying for many – especially millennials.
- See more stories on Insider's business page.
Just a few months ago, in February, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released shocking data about how the historic appreciation in lumber prices was crimping the housing market. A newbuild was $24,000 more expensive, on average.
Three months later, that number now stands at $35,872.
The housing market took off last summer, as the pandemic enabled many to work from home indefinitely, and with mortgage rates so low, many people rushed to buy new homes. But the pandemic shut down lumber production, and it hasn't kept pace with building since.
"This unprecedented price surge is hurting American home buyers and home builders and impeding housing and economic growth," NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke said in a statement. "These lumber price hikes are clearly unsustainable. Policymakers need to examine the lumber supply chain, identify the causes for high prices and supply constraints and seek immediate remedies that will increase production."
A report from the NAHB in February said the lumber supply chain impact came as factories shut down almost immediately last March for safety reasons, and then as demand spiked, supply couldn't keep up. Lumber prices have jumped by 340% compared to last year.
Insider reported on March 26 that because lumber prices are so high, home builders have been building fewer homes and intentionally raising prices to keep up with the high demand for houses amidst the low supply of lumber.
In addition, a report from Redfin - a real estate brokerage- found that the average home sale price hit an all-time record in March, increasing 16% year-over-year t0 $331, 590, and with about one in three homes being sold for more than the asking price in February, experts like Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather are concerned.
"When the pandemic is over, purchasing a home is going to cost much more than ever before, putting homeownership much further out of reach for many Americans," Fairweather said in a statement. "That means a future in which most Americans will not have the opportunity to build wealth through home equity, which will worsen inequality in our society."
Insider's Hillary Hoffower reported on April 30 that the pandemic and the lumber shortage are combining to put homeownership out of reach for many, but especially the millennials entering their prime homebuying years. Fairweather told said the housing shortage is leaving millennials "boxed out of the housing market."
On March 12, the NAHB, along with more than 35 other housing organizations, wrote a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo asking her to examine the lumber supply chain and look into solutions for the high costs.
They said: "Housing and construction can do their parts to create jobs, boost the economy to its pre-pandemic strength, and provide safe and affordable housing for all Americans, but in order to do so the federal government needs to address skyrocketing lumber prices and chronic shortages."