While housing starts have been steadily rising since 2011, and existing sales have been growing, albeit very slowly of late, for even longer, things may slow going forward. A combination of suddenly higher mortgage rates, new tax laws that mildly depress the value of higher-priced homes, and now higher aluminum and steel prices on top of already limited inventory, higher lumber prices and a labor shortage, will reduce demand.

Elliot F. Eisenberg,

Ph.D. GraphsandLaughs, LLC