The January permit statistics for the four-county area in Northeast Florida, consisting of Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties, indicate a smooth transition into the new year. The total for December was 523 and the total for January was 524. It’s not unusual to see slightly lower numbers in January and three of the four counties bore that out. St. Johns County, however, increased by 96 to make the monthly totals nearly even. Experts are looking to the general upturn in the stock market and anticipated changes in the regulatory environment to project another good year for homebuilders.