I think there's shortages of some things out there that is obviously driving up prices, but I also believe some of it is made up.
Awhile back, there was supposedly a propane shortage. Can't speak for everywhere, but where Im at.. no shortage.
I, unfortunately, am in the beginning stages of building my retirement house. I could have waited, but then it likely would have delayed my retirement by another year, and who knows if the prices would go back down. I believe a lot of the price increases we are seeing that is attributed to shortages will never come back down. Oh, they might drop a little bit, but it' ain't coming down to pre-covid prices. No way. Businesses know people are willing to pay the price, so the new price points are being established now.
Mike