MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Mike Bauman, sales manager for Joseph Douglas Homes and Remodeling, said the housing market is “going crazy” in southeastern Wisconsin. 

“We’re not at a lack of customers at all,” said Bauman. “The one thing we are at a lack for is land. We are constantly scrambling to find lots for our customers to build on.” 

What You Need To Know

  • The Trump administration’s proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum could impact the home building industry

  • Mike Bauman, sales manager for Joseph Douglas Homes, said it could raise the cost of steel, concrete and some countertop materials like quartz or marble

  • Shelly Basso, president of Aspen Homes, said she’s constantly in communication with her supply vendors

Finding land to build on isn’t the only obstacle. The Trump administration’s proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum could impact the home building industry. Bauman said this could affect the cost of steel, concrete and some countertop materials like quartz or marble. 

“So far, it hasn’t affected us as of yet,” said Bauman. “So far, it hasn’t affected us as of yet,” said Bauman. “If the tariffs stay, which is kind of a big if, the National Association of Home Builders is anticipating a 6% increase in home prices if all the tariffs go into effect. Just because there’s tariffs, not all home building products come from overseas. A lot of it comes from here, such as lumber. We only get 25% of our lumber from Canada.” 

While there’s uncertainty, he said he still encourages people to not be fearful of building a home. 

“Once somebody signs a building agreement with us, those prices get locked in right away,” said Bauman. “Those building now, it’s not affecting them one bit. Three or four months down the road, if those tariffs continue to happen, it could have an adverse effect on pricing and send pricing up higher than where we are now.”

Shelly Basso is the president of Aspen Homes. Basso said she’s constantly in communication with her supply vendors.

“In our market we can source a lot of it locally,” said Basso. “I think there’s always been a tariff on lumber. We just haven’t felt that yet. Anything coming through, we’re always vigilant and we’re always looking at where we can source products from and maybe start using more American.”

Both said as of right now, they’re not worried. 

“It’s just something that we deal with,” said Bauman. “I’ve gone through a number of recessions. I’ve gone through COVID. 2008 was certainly the worst we’ve gone through. This is just another blip that we will deal with.”

The builders are members of the Metro Builders Association who have projects that will be showcased for potential buyers during a spring tour coming up on March 29.

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