[aazaa]

> Some builders have said they are slowing production in the face of exorbitant costs, but single-family housing starts were up 41% in March year over year, according to the U.S. Census. Builders are clearly trying to ramp up production as fast as they can to meet soaring demand.

For the next several months we'll be in a period of base effects. That means that year over year comparisons are going to look alarming.

Think back to what was happening one year ago. The economy almost completely shut down. Return to "normal" is going to give a lot of weird readings.

Articles like this should point this out, but don't. They should note, for example, the % drop in single-family housing starts YoY for 2020 for comparison.

The article hints at the phenomenon, but fails to actually quantify it. This leads to a more sensationalistic article that might attract eyeballs, but does a poor job of informing.

[throwaway1777]

You’re not wrong about housing starts, but as far as the lumber prices goes it’s not a base effect. The price was already increasing pre-covid and covid shutdowns accelerated the trend.