It is more expensive than ever to buy a home in the U.S., according to a new report from the real estate company Redfin.

The numbers: Home prices in the 20 biggest U.S. metros rose for the seventh month in a row and hit a record high, reflecting a persistent shortage of properties for sale.

Researchers found that people who defrauded the government for pandemic relief poured money into housing markets, driving inflation in some areas

U.S. existing-home prices fell from a year earlier in February for the first time in 11 years, as a dip in mortgage rates caused home sales to surge from January levels.

Home prices increased 19.8% in February year over year, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller national home price index. That is up from the 19.1% annual increase in January and is the third-highest reading in the index’s 35-year history.