Odd Lots · Monday, August 31, 2026
Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin anticipates a future increase in housing demand, driven by a generation eager to own homes and life events like starting families. He expressed concern that if housing inventory does not keep pace with this growing demand, prices could rise again. Barkin also touched on the current softness in housing construction and its impact on the market.
“Oh, I think that's... highly likely. You know, at some point you won't have, you've got a whole generation of people who really want houses and the price isn't quite right for them. At some point, you know, they'll have their second kid and they need a bigger house or they'll, and so the demand will come.”
“And then if you don't have the housing inventory, you know, whether it's rental or single family, then the prices will go back up.”