Permits to build new single-family housing in Northeast Florida remain above last year’s record pace and it’s possible that over 10,000 will be issued this year.
Through the first eight months, 7,048 permits have been issued in the Jacksonville Metropolitan Statistical Area (Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties) compared to 6,411 through the first eight months of 2001.
A record 9,643 single-family permits were issued last year and, based on the eight-month number, 2002 may see the area’s first-ever five-figure number.
“Very low interest rates and the widely-held view that housing is a very good investment are largely responsible for the surge in new home sales,” said Northeast Florida Builders Association President Denise Wallace.
“Housing is basically the only bright spot in today’s economy and it is almost certain that new homes sales this year will exceed last year’s national record of 908,000.”