Builders report growing demand for new homes as inventories for alternative properties -- distressed and foreclosed homes, for example -- shrink nationwide. Even Hurricane Sandy did little to suppress builder confidence. The NAHB survey was conducted in the two weeks immediately following Hurricane Sandy so the Housing Market Index does reflect builder sentiment during that period. All regions of the country posted confidence gains in November. The South Region showed a 4-point gain to 43; the West Region showed a 3-point gain to 47; the Midwest Region showed a 3-point gain to 45; and the Northeast Region showed a 2-point gain to 31. Despite the gains, builders in Bethesda and nationwide still report challenges with home appraisals and tight credit conditions. In addition, a shortage of buildable lots in some areas is limiting the ability for home builders to put more single-family homes on the market. As builder confidence grows, today's buyers throughout MD should prepare for the possibility of higher home prices. Confident sellers are less likely to make price concessions or to offer free upgrades. If you are in the market for a new home, therefore, the time between now and the New Year may be the best opportunity to make a bid on a home. Starting next year, low prices may be gone.