Demand for newly built homes has remained strong as high interest rates keep many would-be sellers of existing homes off the market. 

The larger-than-expected increase comes as homebuilder sentiment rose for the sixth month in a row. 

A shortage of existing inventory continues to drive buyers to new construction. 

Single-family permits also posted a gain, indicating even more new homes are headed to today’s supply-constrained housing market. 

Homebuilder optimism was buoyed by continued shortages of new housing inventory, the National Association of Home Builders reported. 

U.S. government data shows builders increased the pace of single-family home construction while slowing the pace of multifamily starts. 

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rose for the fourth month in a row in April as the construction industry remained “cautiously optimistic.”     

The supply of new homes for sale ticked lower from February, according to government figures.

A shortage of existing-home inventory is driving more people to the market for newly built homes. 

Homebuilders expressed “cautious optimism” that the lack of existing inventory would drive demand for new homes despite high construction costs and interest rates, the National Association of Home Builders reported.    

The median sales price of a new home was down on a monthly basis but up on an annual one. 

The increase in builder confidence breaks a string of 12 straight monthly declines in the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. 

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The move comes despite a slowdown in the single-family rental market. 

A wave of homebuilding is expected to start up in 2024 and run through the end of the decade, according to the NAHB.