Housing prices are causing some people to have smaller families than planned

"Housing How has the price changed since before the pandemic? Up 56% since Feb. 2020, according to the National Association of Realtors. Low mortgage rates and work-from-home policies spurred a homebuying rush in the first two years of the pandemic, causing home prices to spike. Then mortgage rates shot up in 2022 and homebuying slowed significantly. But prices have stayed high as many current homeowners have locked in low mortgage rates and aren't in a hurry to sell."

"For Ava Rimal, the options became clear: She and her husband could have a second kid, or move to the bigger house in a more upscale area. But they couldn't afford to do both. They chose the house. "I'd rather have one kid that I can give everything to than try to spread it thin between two children just for the sake of having two children," she says."

Housing prices have risen 56% since February 2020, according to the National Association of Realtors. Low mortgage rates and work-from-home policies triggered a homebuying rush early in the pandemic, pushing prices higher. Mortgage rates spiked in 2022, slowing purchases, but prices remained elevated as many homeowners retained low-rate loans and delayed selling. Rising housing costs force people to make tradeoffs between living space, neighborhood quality, and family size. Some Americans are choosing smaller families or moving to different communities to balance housing expenses, daycare, and overall household budgets.

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