If you could, would you buy a newly built house in this market?

Construction costs have come down to where it is feasible to build new rather than buy existing. If the price is right then go for it.

If the value is competitive with the resale market. New construction normally sells for 5%-10% more than a comparable resale.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.