Homebuyers canceling contracts as costs soar

Rising costs for lumber and other materials are causing new home contracts to be canceled, according to the National Association of Homebuilders.

Lumber costs have surged more than 170% over the past year, adding around $24,000 to the cost of a new home. Concrete, metal products, appliances, and other expenses are also increasing due to supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 shutdowns.

The additional cost is preventing some first-time homebuyers from entering the market as resale inventories remain low.

“First-time homebuyers are the ones that really drive the housing market,” Jerry Howard, CEO of the National Association of Home Builders, told FOX Business’ Stuart Varney. “It's a big problem.”

The problem of higher materials costs is being compounded by a rise in mortgage rates. The rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage has risen by 30 basis points over the past month to a seven-month high of 3.24%. Rates hit a record low of 2.85% in November.

The recent jump in materials costs and higher mortgage rates have begun to weigh on homebuilder confidence.

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index declined 2 points to 82. Any number over 50 indicates more builders view conditions as good rather than poor. The index is down from its November high of 90, but up from 72 a year ago.

Current sales conditions declined 3 points to 87 while sales expectations for the next six months rose 3 points to 83. Buyer traffic held steady at 72.