Single family new home building permits are down for 2009 here in the Tri Cities Washington.. However, the numbers may be skewed a bit as Richland seems to be the only city really down, and Richland's lower new home permits may be a result of no room to grow except north. The Tri Cities new home building permits are the lowest in 10 or so years! In most economies this would be indicative of a poor economy, but not the Tri Cities!
I suspect Tri Cities new home building permits are down simply because builders are echoing the pessimistic sentiments of the national economy. Builders must paying attention to national news, as Tri Cities Washington is approaching a housing shortage. Homes under $300k are for the most part in a seller's market, while rental properties are becoming harder to come by. Just yesterday we were checking on rental comparisons for our personal duplexes only to find 1 (one!) duplex for rent. A year or two ago there would be 20ish duplexes available!
Low building permit numbers are a good thing given our current circumstances here in the Tri Cities. At some point, new homes will have to be built at a quick pace which will only add to our already great stimulus money backed economy. With new construction flaming our healthy economy, big box stores (among other employers) will add even more jobs to our cities.
Low building permits numbers amidst a housing shortage. Nice problem! [grins] Isn't Tri Cities a great place to live!
Btw, let's not forget Businessweek puts us at the third best place in the United States to start over!
Posted by Colleen Lane on
This is good news.
Posted by Sell Your House on Saturday, July 4th, 2009 at 8:03pmI was just wondering if your Government was doing anything to stimulate the housing industry? As an example our Government has been offering a grant for those building their first home, I think it's $15000. It used to apply to any first time home buyer but after the crash it was amended so as to help the building market.
Posted by Sire on Sunday, July 5th, 2009 at 8:28pmI know many places in the US wish they had that problem right now. I hope it only gets better!
Posted by HorryTelephoneMB on Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 at 4:22amBuilding permits being off are still part of the lack of confidence that a builder can make a profit. The market in most areas, are selling well below cost to build new now. This will continue till the inventory subsides. There is another problem. Banks are unwilling to loan for construction. With out financing only the public companies and very few cash builders will be able to construct.
Posted by Richard Stabile Bergen County Real Estate on Sunday, July 19th, 2009 at 7:42amIt is interesting news for <a href="http://www.ablelife.com" rel="nofollow">Home Buyers</a> in US.
Posted by Sell My House on Sunday, January 10th, 2010 at 8:37pmLeave A Comment