New Home Availability Update
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt around the world for more than a year now, touching every person, industry, and organization. In many ways, the pandemic has magnified how interconnected we are. Our shared experience has brought us together in powerful new ways and shed light on the importance of home, faith, family, and community.
The unimaginable situation has also made apparent that we are each part of a global economy. We depend upon one another not only in spirit but also in commerce. When one supply chain struggles, the results are wide-reaching. And the longer that struggle persists, the greater the impacts are.
Because of the pandemic, like so many of you out there, our business has had to adapt and change. However, we remain committed to accompanying you on your home-buying journey and understand that purchasing a new home is one of the biggest, most emotion-filled times in one’s life — even more so during these uncertain times.
In this blog, we would like to share some of the challenges taking place across the homebuilding industry and to address many of the complicated realities that we’ve been facing. Each one plays a part in the rise of new home prices, which you are likely witnessing take shape.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, as well as your trust in Pahlisch Homes.
Low Inventory of Homes Before COVID-19
Even before COVID-19 settled in, those living in many areas across the county — including Central Oregon, Metro Portland, and Southwest Washington — were facing an extremely limited inventory of homes available for purchase, both new construction and resale. As with any low-supply, high-demand situation, that limited inventory was causing home prices to rise.
Uncertainty & the Importance of Home
As COVID-19 entered the scene, the uncertainty that gripped the globe caused an attitude shift around the concept of home. Almost suddenly, scores of people realized that home provided a safety and comfort they had been largely taking for granted. Forced out of the office by public health guidelines, kitchen tables began to double as home offices, family rooms as homeschool centers. With every passing day, it seemed our collective comfort with virtual meetings and working from home increased. Many existing home sellers pulled their homes off the market, and those considering selling theirs decided to stay put. Others grabbed their laptops, packed up, and headed to more scenic, less congested locales, snapping up nearly all the new and resales homes on the market.
Supply Shortage, Price Hikes
Starting in the early months of COVID-19, American factories closed for months and global supply chains broke down instantaneously, causing supply shortages and sharp price increases for home builders everywhere. Just a few of the items and materials affected include lumber, appliances, resin (used as an adhesive for construction materials), electrical breakers, and lighting. Significant impacts to container shipping from China to the United States have further strained the system.
Lack of Laborers
Since the 2008 recession, U.S. homebuilders have seen a large drop in the number of skilled laborers available to construct homes. What caused the labor shortage? Here near the Pahlisch Homes headquarters in Bend, Oregon, and throughout the state, the reduction in work caused by the recession spurred many tradespersons to head to bigger cities. Now, although home-building work is on the rise, laborers who moved away during the recession have not returned.
New Codes & Protocols
Industry-wide, positive advances to energy codes and job site safety protocols have caused slower construction timelines and substantial new costs for home builders, ultimately affecting home buyers. Pahlisch Homes firmly supports sustainability and safety efforts but must recognize the tradeoffs they require.
For the last 13 months, and for 37 years before, the priority of Pahlisch Homes has remained constant: to create community. For this reason (and while following all public health guidance), we have continued to build quality homes for every stage of life — even those we never expected. Based on the considerable impacts listed above, we have enacted changes to better serve our customers and ensure their experience is truly exceptional from start to finish.
- Real-Time New Home Availability & Pricing
At this time, homes will become available for sale only after they are further along in construction. This process will allow us to provide accurate build times and pricing. To find out more about the availability and price points of new homes in specific Pahlisch Homes communities, please CLICK HERE.
- Luxury Upgrades Included
With every Pahlisch home comes numerous ways to customize the space through luxury upgrades. Now, we’re automatically including certain upgrades to complement each home and further elevate your surroundings. You will be able to find out what upgraded features and finishes are included when the home is available for sale.
- Hear Directly from a Sales Agent When Homes Become Available
To be among the first to hear about our new homes as soon as they become available, we encourage all homebuyers to connect with a community sales agent. Our agents are experts in the Pahlisch community they represent and are here to assist you every step of the way. When a home becomes available, the agent will reach out to you directly with information on how to submit an Intent to Purchase.
Your New Home Awaits
Through these trying times and in the many years to come, we hope Pahlisch Homes is a name you know and trust in your home-buying journey. We understand the importance of this process and strive to communicate as frequently and forthrightly as possible. Despite the challenges this unprecedented era has presented, it is our goal to create community by bringing together friends and families, neighbors and new acquaintances — be they from the same home, street, city, state, or Zoom call.
