Are Rising Tariffs Hurting the Housing Market?

By Joshua Holt

Meet Joshua, a licensed real estate professional and accomplished broker. As the forward-thinking leader of the Holt Real Estate Team, he has forged a strategic alliance with Keller Williams and PLACE to deliver on Our Promise.

If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen, adding a deck, or buying a new home, you need to know this—construction costs are rising fast. Tariffs on imported goods from Canada, Mexico, and China are driving up the price of materials like lumber, steel, and aluminum. This directly impacts what you’ll pay to build, renovate, or buy.

What this means for you. The National Association of Homebuilders reports that tariffs will add $7,500 to $10,000 to the cost of building a new single-family home. That’s a big hit for buyers, especially if you’re looking at new construction. Renovators aren’t off the hook either. Material suppliers have already raised prices by 7% to 12% just to keep up with costs.

Builders are feeling the pressure, too. Because tariff rates keep changing, they can’t predict material costs. To stay afloat, they’re passing those costs onto you, the buyer or homeowner. This means higher prices, project delays, and tighter budgets all around.

What you can do now. Move fast. If you’re serious about buying or starting a project, don’t wait. Prices aren’t going down anytime soon. Buying or locking in a contractor now could save you thousands. Look into alternative materials. Some builders have already started switching suppliers or stockpiling inventory to cut future costs. Ask about different options that still meet your needs but cost less.

Most importantly, work with someone who knows how to navigate this market. I help buyers and homeowners like you make smart decisions every day. I’ll walk you through pricing options, negotiate on your behalf, and help you get the best value whether you’re building, buying, or renovating.

If you’ve been holding off on your home plans, now’s the time to act. Don’t let rising costs catch you off guard. Let’s make a plan that fits your budget and timeline. Call me at 608-345-6594, email me at jdholt@kw.com, or visit holtrealestateteam.com to get started. Let’s beat the rising costs before they beat you.