The lot supply problem is particularly severe in relation to housing starts, which still have only partially recovered from the last downturn. After averaging 1.5 million from 1960-2007 and hitting a peak of 2.0 million in 2005, starts have recovered only to about 1.2 million a year. The continued low supply of developed lots is a hindrance to a fuller housing recovery, and helps explain some of the recent weakness in new home sales.
Lot shortages tended to be especially acute in the most desirable “A” locations. Thirty one percent of builders said that the supply of “A” lots was very low, compared to 17 percent for “B” lots and 16 percent for “C” lots.
A shortage of buildable lots, especially in the most desirable locations translates into higher prices. Eighty-two percent of home builders in September 2018 said the price of developed “A” lots was somewhat to substantially higher than a year ago. In comparison, 77 percent and 70 percent of builders reporting said the price of “B” lots and “C” lots was somewhat to substantially than a year ago. In all cases the percentages were up slightly from June 2017, and the highest on record since NAHB began collecting the information in 2013.
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