A robust increase in housing starts in December points to an active year for new construction, but higher material costs, especially lumber, and a limited supply of buildable lots will temper the number of new units.

December is normally one of the slowest months of the year, but strong buyer demand across most segments of the market, buoyed by near record-low interest rates, continues to drive a healthy sales pace in the face of a new wave of COVID-19 infections and a softening job market.

Showing activity remains higher than the same period a year ago across most of the country, suggesting that strong buyer demand is likely to continue into what is typically the slowest time of year.

Strong buyer activity has continued into the fall, which is normally the start of the seasonal slowing of the housing market.