How Lumber Prices Are Impacting New Home Buyers

It’s safe to say the coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact across the board. While the demand for new home construction and remodeling has increased since March, it does pose some challenges. Many industries, including the construction industry, have faced labor shortages and disruptions in the supply chain. In addition, lumber prices have increased drastically. Since mid-April, the cost of lumber increased by 120%.

What’s Causing Lumber Prices to Spike?

Simply put, the demand for construction has caused a lumber shortage. Because the demand is high and supplies are low, prices have increased drastically.

In mid-September, framing lumber prices hit an all-time high at above $950 per thousand board feet. Since then, prices have begun to decline — but at a very slow pace. On October 16th, lumber prices still stood above $750 per thousand board feet.

According to NAHB Now, this decline coincides with actions recently taken by the National Associaton of Home Builders (NAHB). The organization has taken steps to call attention to “the impact that soaring lumber prices are having on the housing industry and to press for immediate action.”

What Should New Home Buyers Expect?

While NAHB is advocating for solutions that adequately address the high cost of lumber and supply shortages, it may take some time for things to get back to where they were pre-pandemic. So, it’s important to plan and prepare for its impact. For example, new builds may experience completion delays due to supply chain issues. When it comes to making selections, try to be flexible and choose materials that are readily available.

Despite the challenges presented, it’s not all bad news. As noted above, lumber prices have begun trending downward. What’s more, historically low interest rates have helped to offset increase lumber costs and many lenders are offering to lock in rates for up to a year.

When you’re ready to get started planning and building your own custom home, get in touch with Regency Homes. Our team of knowledgeable experts will be happy to tell you about our floor plans and the communities we build in, as well as answer any questions you may have.

Lions Gate

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Location: 198th & Harrison St

School District: Gretna

Amenities:

  • Close to easy access traffic ways, established neighborhood, close day care centers, and several places of worship.
  • Oversized lots – many 82’ wide lots.
  • Minutes to West Dodge traffic way, the 180th & Center shopping mile, the I-80 interstate system, and to grocery and other shopping services.

Liberty

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Location: 43rd & Capehart Rd

School District: Bellevue

Amenities:

  • Treed and nature reserve lots available
  • 11 minutes from Shadow Lake Towne Center
  • 15 minutes from Offutt Air Force Base

Sumtur Crossing

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Location: 114th & Schramm Rd

School District: Papillion La Vista

Amenities:

  • Close to Sumtur Amphitheater (concerts, movies and plays)
  • Adjacent to the 450 acre Walnut Creek Recreation area with its 105 acre lake (hiking, biking and fishing)

Granite Creek

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Location: 108th & Lincoln Rd

School District: Papillion La Vista

Amenities:

  • Adjacent to the proposed NRD lake area
  • Close to Sumtur Amphitheater (concerts, movies and plays)
  • Close to the 450 acre Walnut Creek Recreation area with its 105 acre lake (hiking, biking and fishing)
  • Close to Werner Ball Park – Home of the Omaha Storm Chasers

Founders Ridge

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Location: 126th & Hwy 370

School District: Papillion La Vista

Amenities:

  • Adjacent to Prairie Queen Lake and Recreation Area-hiking, biking and fishing
  • Adjacent to Werner Ball Park – Home of the Omaha Storm Chasers
  • Minutes to the I-80 Interstate system
  • Enjoy the Sumtur Amphitheater for concerts, movies and plays, the Shadow Lake Towne Center shopping, and the Walnut Creek Recreation and lake area for hiking, biking and fishing

Remington West

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Location: West of Remington Ridge (South of Harrison on 192nd St)

School District: Gretna

Amenities:

  • Trails and Nature reserve

Remington Ridge

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Location: South of 192nd & Harrison St

School District: Gretna

Amenities:

  • Trails and Nature reserve

Bridgeport

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Location: 180th St & Cornhusker Road

School District: Gretna

Amenities:

  • Coved, park-like streetscape
  • Extensive green space and trail network
  • Community Swimming Pool

Aspen Creek North

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Location: 1 mile N of 192nd & Hwy 370

School District: Gretna

Amenities:

  • Adjacent to the all-new Gretna school campus facility

Daybreak Springs

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Location: 192nd St & Fort St

School District: Elkhorn

Amenities:

  • Access to green space
  • Nearby Golfing
  • Adjacent to the Fort Street Improvement Project

Calarosa

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Location: 204th St and Fort St

School District: Elkhorn

Amenities:

  • 3 miles from Maple St Shopping Corridor

Indian Pointe

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Location: 198th & Harrison St

School District: Gretna

Amenities:

  • Close to easy access traffic ways, established neighborhood, close day care centers, and several places of worship.
  • Oversized lots – many 82’ wide lots.
  • Minutes to West Dodge traffic way, the 180th & Center shopping mile, the I-80 interstate system, and to grocery and other shopping services.

Newport Vista

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Location: North 168th Street and Bennington Road

School District: Bennington

Amenities:

  • View lots
  • Bennington school across the street
  • Adjacent to a nature reserve
  • View of Bennington Lake

Kempten Creek

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Location: 165th Street and Bennington Road

School District: Bennington

Amenities:

  • View lots
  • Adjacent to regional park

Anchor View

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Location: 3 blocks N of 168th Ida

School District: Elkhorn

Amenities:

  • Overlooks Flanagan Lake, a 220-acre lake with 730 acres of recreation
  • Public access Flanagan Lake as well as facilities for boat access
  • Blocks of walking & biking trails
  • Playgrounds and youth sport fields

Anchor Pointe

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Location: 198th & Harrison St

School District: Gretna

Amenities:

  • Close to easy access traffic ways, established neighborhood, close day care centers, and several places of worship.
  • Oversized lots – many 82’ wide lots.
  • Minutes to West Dodge traffic way, the 180th & Center shopping mile, the I-80 interstate system, and to grocery and other shopping services.

Falling Waters

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Location: 198th & Harrison St

School District: Gretna

Amenities:

  • Close to easy access traffic ways, established neighborhood, close day care centers, and several places of worship.
  • Oversized lots – many 82’ wide lots.
  • Minutes to West Dodge traffic way, the 180th & Center shopping mile, the I-80 interstate system, and to grocery and other shopping services.