The primary reason for the sellers’ market experienced in most United States of America is the lack of housing. This is because demand for housing exceeds the supply. However, the good news is coming from the U.S. Census Bureau for December of 2021. More housing permits were issued for single-family homes, and more housing starts for single-family homes than a year ago.

Housing Permits

In December, privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,873,000.   This is 9.1 percent (±1.1 percent) above the revised November rate of 1,717,000 and is 6.5 percent (±1.7 percent) above the December 2020 rate of 1,758,000.

Single‐family authorizations in December were at a rate of 1,128,000; this is 2.0 percent (±1.3 percent) above the revised November figure of 1,106,000.  Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 675,000 in December. An estimated 1,724,700 housing units were authorized by building permits in 2021. This is 17.2 percent (±0.6 percent) above the 2020 figure of 1,471,100.

Housing Starts

In December, privately-owned housing starts were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,702,000.  This is 1.4 percent (±10.1 percent)* above the revised November estimate of 1,678,000 and is 2.5 percent (±13.8 percent)* above the December 2020 rate of 1,661,000.

Single‐family housing starts in December were at a rate of 1,172,000; this is 2.3 percent (±9.8 percent)* below the revised November figure of 1,199,000.

An estimated 1,595,100 housing units were started in 2021. This is 15.6 percent (±4.0 percent) above the 2020 figure of 1,379,600. The December rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 524,000.

Housing Completions

Housing Completions Privately‐owned housing completions in December were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,295,000.  This is 8.7 percent (±14.5 percent)* below the revised November estimate of 1,418,000 and is 6.6 percent (±10.4 percent)* below the December 2020 rate of 1,386,000.

In December, single-family housing completions were at a rate of 990,000; this is 3.9 percent (±13.3 percent)* above the revised November rate of 953,000. The December rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 299,000. An estimated 1,337,800 housing units will be completed in 2021. This is 4.0 percent (±3.2 percent)* above the 2020 figure of 1,286,900.