Florida, Texas Slowest Starters in 2000

The top two areas in terms of sheer volume of new residential construction - Atlanta and Phoenix - in 1999 got off to dramatically different starts during the first month of the new year. However, given the fact that weather and other special factors (including the tardy official recording of issued permits) can distort these numbers for any particular month, it’s much too early to draw conclusions about the relative strength or weakness of the year 2000 residential market in any particular metropolitan area.

Noteworthy are the great January permit volumes realized by Kansas City, Columbus, Seattle, and Los Angeles. All four areas posted numbers more than 50% above their January 1999 levels. Impressive gains were also realized in areas as diverse as the Denver, Riverside-San Bernardino, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis metropolitan areas. Among the major home building markets, areas in Texas and Florida generally were slowest off the mark during the first month of this new year.

Recent Trends In New Residential Permits:
1999’s Top 25 Metro Areas(Preliminary Year-to-Date through January 2000)

# of Units Permitted Year-to-Date

% Change Compared to Year Ago

Atlanta, GA501919.5%Phoenix-Mesa AZ3131-28.2Washington DC28956.4Dallas TX2189-31.4Houston TX2068-27.3Orlando FL1584-54.6Las Vegas NV21177.5Charlotte NC1811-26.9Tampa-St. Petersburg FL1394-16.6Minneapolis MN103719.6Denver240039.5Raleigh-Durham NC782-30.5Riverside-San Bernardino154934.7Seattle WA155866.3Detroit MI106313.9Philadelphia PA127721.3Austin TX1267-8.6Kansas City MO-KS123875.9San Diego CA956-47.6Columbus OH79673.8Indianopolis IN709-10.1New York NY1084-13.6Portland OR796-24.0Los Angeles CA138250.1Source: U.S. Department of Commerce; Professional Builder