CINCINNATI — For those shopping for a new refrigerator or living room couch, choices are slim, and waits can be months long due to supply shortages.

"When I check on our vendor websites, they are just not available," Cincinnati kitchen appliance distributor Ken Reiman told us a few months ago.

Since then, supplies have improved a bit, but shoppers still report long waits for many items for their homes.

But what about those who don't have three months to wait? The best option might be a used appliance or piece of furniture.

Quality used and overstock goods

Beth Benson is a vice president of ReStore, a nonprofit seller of used household goods nationwide that benefits Habitat for Humanity. The organization has more than 800 locations nationwide, including Cincinnati stores in Bond Hill, Fairfield, Cheviot, and Florence.

"We have couches, chairs, and dining room tables," Benson said. "And we sometimes have collectible things, like mid-century modern. We clean it all up and treat it, and it is ready to go."

With prices high and waits for building supplies often long at chain stores, retailers specializing in used and overstock appliances and furniture can be the solution — especially if money is tight or a shopper needs an item right away.

When it comes to appliances, the ReStore offers everything from 1975 Lady Kenmore washers (in gold, of course) to a 5-year-old Kitchen Aid stainless fridge with an indoor ice maker.

The best thing about buying used is that consumers can find working dishwashers for $100 and microwaves for just $40.

Or, how about a slightly used $10,000 Thermador range for just $2,000?

"If I were opening a small cafe or restaurant right now and I needed to stock my kitchen, this Thermador would be perfect," Benson said.

All the items at ReStore have been tested out and have a 30-day money-back guarantee (be sure to check return policies at other used appliance stores).

But it is not just furniture and appliances that are available.

"We always have overstock cabinets, plumbing, light fixtures," Benson said.

That means the clawfoot tubs and brand new wood flooring that contractors say is on backorder might be available at a local ReStore or similar used-goods outlet.

Shopper James Kellor loves the selection and bargain prices.

"I have bought some new stuff, at a decent price, versus going to the big box stores," he said.

Other great used furniture shops

Looking for a little bit more upscale furniture?

Then check out the Snooty Fox Furniture Den -- with Cincinnati locations in Harper's Point, West Chester, Mariemont, and Anderson Township.

Owner Donna Speigel says you'll find well maintained bedroom, living room, and classic items.

"Every day is a treasure hunt," she said.

Also check out:

No long waits or supply chain issues at any of these places.

So don't shrug off the idea of buying used during supply shortages and long delays. That way, you don't waste your money.

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Last week, Habitat for Humanity dedicated its first 3D printed home to a family in the U.S.

"Looking at this home, you would never know its 3D printed unless you get right up against it," said Zachary Mannheimer, the founder of Alquist 3D.

The groundbreaking dedication comes amid a nationwide shortage of affordable housing.

"What the pandemic did for Habitat for Humanity International, and I think many in the affordable housing sector was (it) really raised the specter of the need for safe, quality, affordable housing for everyone," said Tawkiyah Jordan of Habitat for Humanity. "COVID kind of underscored the role of housing in our lives in every facet of our lives, including in our health outcomes."

Jordan believes that 3D printing could help fill the need in the housing gap. He said the organization would continue to test the 3D printing process to see if the houses might work for their affiliates across the country.

"I think access to the materials and technology is still something that country has to work on, but I'm hopeful," he said.

The house dedicated last week in Virginia was completed about four weeks faster than a typical construction schedule — it took just 28 hours to print a 1,200 square foot home.

Officials also estimate that it cost 15-20% less than a typical home. Janet V. Green, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peninsula & Greater Williamsburg in Virginia, says the savings could be even greater in the future.

"Right now to bring (out) the 3D printer — and it prints out a proprietary mix of concrete that's quite expensive to set up for one home," Green said. "So if we can do multiple homes with them and they're getting more machines, now that can do everything from multi-story to triplexes to duplexes."

Green added that while the 3D printer constructed the outside of the house, the group still needed contractors to do work on the inside.

"We're just trying to do more, faster and build more affordable homes, but it's not like we're trying to replace one service sector," she said.

She hopes more young people will become interested in 3D printing to expand the industry and create more opportunities.

As for new homeowner April Springfield, she can't wait to live in her new 3D-printed home.

"My great grandmother, Daisy Stringfield, she had a concrete home, and I grew up in that concrete home," Springfield said. "It's just really exciting that I could carry on that tradition, something that my great grandmother had."

One Virginia family received the keys to their new 3D-printed home in time for Christmas.

The home is Habitat for Humanity's first 3D-printed home in the nation, according to a Habitat news release.

Related video above: What it looks like to 3D-print a home

Janet V. Green, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg, told CNN it partnered with Alquist, a 3D printing company, earlier this year to begin the process.

The 1,200-square-foot home has three bedrooms, two full baths and was built from concrete.

The technology allowed the home to be built in just 12 hours, which saves about four weeks of construction time for a typical home.

April Stringfield purchased the home through the Habitat Homebuyer Program. She will move in with her 13-year-old son just in time for the holidays.

"My son and I are so thankful," Stringfield said in a live feed streamed on Habitat's Facebook page. "I always wanted to be a homeowner. It's like a dream come true."

To purchase the home, Stringfield logged hundreds of hours of sweat equity, Green told CNN, which is one of the requirements for homebuyers through the program.

"Every Habitat affiliate in the nation and worldwide sells home to partner families who have low to moderate incomes," Green said. "They must have and maintain good credit and be willing to partner with us."

"I'm excited to make new memories in Williamsburg and especially in a house, a home," Stringfield told CNN affiliate WTKR. "Some place I can call home and give my son that backyard that he can play in and also for my puppy to run around the yard."

The concrete used in the house's 3D construction has many long-term benefits, such as the ability to retain temperature and withstand natural disasters, like tornadoes and hurricanes.

Stringfield's home also includes a personal 3D printer that will allow her to reprint anything she may need, "everything from electrical outlet to trim to cabinet knobs," Green told CNN.

While this is the first 3D home for Habitat for Humanity in the U.S., it certainly won't be the last. Green told CNN it hopes to continue partnering and developing the technology used with the printing.

"We would love to build more with this technology, especially because it's got that long-term savings for the homeowners," Green said.

A single mother and her daughter will enjoy the holidays in their new southern Indiana home this year.

Friday, Habitat for Humanity Clark & Floyd Indiana cut the ribbon on its newest home renovation. Teanna Huckleberry bought her home through Habitat for Humanity's homeownership program. The program offers families with limited finances a chance to buy a home through 250 hours of volunteer construction work.

"It's been so incredible to have all these people show me what it is like to have, you know, love and support from the community and just everyone coming together for one goal, and that was to get a house for us," Huckleberry said.

Huckleberry and her daughter plan to move into their new home before the holidays.

Now that Huckleberry's home is complete, she'll pay her monthly mortgage payments back to Habitat for Humanity to help others get to the path of homeownership.

Habitat for Humanity in Clark and Floyd counties have built or renovated more than 50 homes since 1991.

Putting the hammer to the nail, Gabriele Shivers is building her first home through Habitat for Humanity's homeownership program. But, Shivers' busy life almost hindered this moment from happening.“I didn't get the packet in time when they started, so I got it a little late,” Shivers said. “So, by the time that I did get it, I was just a nervous wreck. I was running around crying and everything.”Those are now tears of joy. The determined mom can officially give her son Tai’Yon, 4, who has special needs, a place to call his own.“It'll give him stability for one, he doesn't have to worry about us moving every day or every year, switching schools or anything,” she said. “He got his safe place. This is his.”Habitat for Humanity only builds and rehabilitates 20 houses annually.This home, in Louisville, Kentucky, furthers Habitat's mission of providing affordable housing in underserved communities. But, volunteers say their work is simply about neighbors helping neighbors.“We work here, we play here and we live here, so we're part of the community,” said John Pass, volunteer. “Being able to give back in any way and help our community is part of our DNA and just seeing her excited about the new life that's headed her way, that was worth it.”A new life that Shivers says anyone can have if they just take a leap of faith.“Go ahead and do it because it's nothing but God,” the 24-year-old mother said. “He's all I prayed to trying to get this application through.”