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llustration by Lanette Behiry/Real Estate News; Photo: AJ LaTraceIf home prices continue growing at their current pace, America may become severely divided, with only a few accumulating wealth, said Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. To prevent this, "we need more supply," he emphasized.Key points include the warning that if price growth continues unabated, it will lock out first-time buyers and exacerbate wealth inequality.Yun predicts mortgage rates will remain around 6% in the near term and notes that 3-4% rates are unlikely to return.Deputy Chief Economist Jessica Lautz echoed Yun's sentiments, stating that "the silver tsunami is not coming" and that we must build more homes to address inventory constraints.Lautz noted that young adults are struggling to enter the market due to a lack of affordable housing options, while Yun pointed out that restrictive zoning and limited building contribute to the problem.Yun also predicted that an upcoming Trump administration may take a less regulatory approach to make it easier for builders to construct more housing."The silver tsunami is not coming," Lautz said. "We need to build more homes for young adults because they are desperately trying to enter the market."Data shows that older homeowners are holding onto their properties, and cash buyers are at an all-time high, making it difficult for first-time buyers to enter the market.Lautz noted that teachers and first responders in local communities are being priced out of buying a home, while Yun highlighted that 35 million homeowners have no mortgages.Mortgage rates will not return to historic lows, Yun warned, citing the country's massive budget deficit as the reason."We cannot simply continue strong price growth for the next five years," Yun said. "If it happens, America will be completely divided."