Monday, February 3, 2025 / by Vanessa Saunders
Real Estate Isn’t Broken—But the Playbook Is
Last time, I wrote about why I hope I never feel comfortable in real estate (read it here). Because the moment you get too comfortable, you stop questioning the status quo. And if there’s anything this industry desperately needs, it’s fewer people nodding along and more people willing to challenge the way things are done.
And today? We’re diving into exactly why that status quo needs a reality check.
For an industry that thrives on change, real estate sure does love to cling to the past.
We say the market is shifting, technology is evolving, and buyers and sellers are more informed than ever. But the way we actually do business? That’s another story.
And if that wasn’t enough, let’s talk about affordability—because apparently, making it worse is a policy now.
Tariffs & Housing: The Plot Twist No One Asked For

Because housing affordability wasn’t already a challenge, we now have a fresh round of tariffs coming in to shake things up even more.
This week, the White House confirmed new tariffs:
- 25% on imports from Canada (because lumber, steel, and aluminum clearly weren’t expensive enough)
- 10% on China (just a little inflation for good measure)
Initially, a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico was also announced. However, in a last-minute twist, President Trump has paused the implementation of these tariffs for one month after reaching an agreement with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Mexico has agreed to deploy 10,000 National Guard members to its northern border to curb drug trafficking and illegal immigration.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) wasted no time in raising the alarm. Why? Because nearly 25% of our building materials come from Canada and Mexico. Higher costs on these materials mean higher prices for homes. Simple math, but apparently, someone missed that memo.
The housing crisis wasn’t enough? Let’s throw in some policy-fueled pricing spikes for good measure.
New Hampshire’s Housing Crisis: Hard Numbers, Harsh Realities, and a Path Forward
?? Breaking Update: Trump Pauses Canadian Tariffs ??
Since publishing this post, there has been a major development in the ongoing tariff situation. President Trump has paused the proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian imports for 30 days following negotiations with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In exchange, Canada has agreed to a $1.3 billion border reinforcement plan aimed at tightening security.
What does this mean for real estate?
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Temporary Relief for Construction Costs: The immediate impact on building materials—lumber, steel, and aluminum—will be delayed, keeping prices stable for now.
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Uncertainty Remains: The pause is only for 30 days, meaning if further agreements aren’t reached, the tariffs could still take effect, impacting housing affordability and new builds.
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What Buyers & Sellers Should Know: While this buys some time, the market remains volatile. Now is a critical moment to stay informed and act strategically.
We will continue monitoring these changes and updating our clients on how they might affect home prices, new builds, and overall affordability in New Hampshire.