/ As the price of lumber and other building materials rises, the National Association of Home Builders says Americans are paying about $36,000 more on average for new construction homes.
More people are looking for housing than homes are available in the Bloomington Normal market. That has caused new construction to rise sharply but not without hiccups.
Supply shortages are causing delays. And steep prices on materials are blowing budgets by thousands of dollars. The burden is heavier for those building affordable housing.
New construction in the Bloomington-Normal area is up about 25 percent year-over-year.
Brandon Shaffer, president of the Mid-Illinois Realtors Association, said it s the result of more buyers flooding the market.