It is thereby squeezing the pool of existing homes, which are typically more affordable than new construction. Public homebuilders on average have raised prices in about two-thirds of their communities, said BTIG analyst Carl Reichardt. This comes as the pricing gap between existing and new homes has narrowed, following a price appreciation in the resale market. "When the existing home market is seeing a price appreciation, it supports pricing power for new construction." However, as a consequence of recovery in new construction prices since last year, "affordability is close to its worst levels in at least the last three decades," said James Egan, Morgan Stanley housing strategist.

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Persons: Andrew Kelly, Carl Reichardt, Matthew Bouley, James Egan, Morgan Stanley, Egan, homebuilders, BTIG's Reichardt, Ananta Agarwal, Shinjini Organizations: Lennar Corporation, REUTERS, Federal Reserve Economic, Lennar, PulteGroup Inc, U.S . Census, National Association of Realtors, Barclays, Thomson Locations: Morristown, Morristown , New Jersey, U.S, Bengaluru