Data compiled from city and county building departments by the Northeast Florida Builders Association for the Jacksonville Metropolitan Statistical Area (Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties) indicate a slight dip in the total number of single-family detached residential permits issued in October compared to the prior month and the same period last year.
The October total for the four-county area was 1,039 compared to 1,056 permits issued the month prior (September 2004) and 937 permits issued a year ago in October 2003.
The year-to-date total for the four-county area is only 479 fewer than the total permits issued in 2003, 11,976.
Nationwide, the sales of new single-family homes rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,206 million units in September, a 3.5 percent increase from the August total, according to a report from the U.S. Commerce Department. The rate was 7 percent above the sales pace of September 2003.
The Census Bureau reported there are now 73.7 million homeowners in the United States, more than at any time in history. The bureau’s third-quarter data indicated this is 323,000 more than the previous high set in the second quarter of 2004, and almost 1.6 million more than in the third quarter of 2003. Minority homeownership was also at an all-time high in the third quarter. There are now 15.2 million minority homeowners in the United States.
Locally, experts agree the area is on target to beat last year’s totals.
“Our region is one of three regions reporting increased sales in the Commerce Department report,” said Greg Matovina, president of the Northeast Florida Builders Association. “The good economic conditions contribute to the demand for more new homes. All indications point to another record year for the industry in Northeast Florida even with a severe hurricane season and the typical decline associated with fourth-quarter performance.”
Historically, fourth quarter numbers show a seasonal decline, and the area experienced an unusually severe hurricane season, accounting for declines in each of the four counties in September.
CLAY COUNTY
October 2004/197
September 2004/222
2004 Year to Date/2,273
2003 Total/2,313
2002 Total/2,042
DUVAL COUNTY
October 2004/456
September 2004/436
2004 Year to Date/5,209
2003 Total/5,646
2002 Total/5,147
NASSAU COUNTY
October 2004/89
September 2004/79
2004 Year to Date/1,006
2003 Total/1,005
2002 Total/883
ST. JOHNS COUNTY
October 2004/297
September 2004/319
2004 Year to Date/3,099
2003 Total/3,002
2002 Total/2,318
Metropolitan Statistical Area
(Clay, Duval Nassau and
St. Johns counties)
2004 October/1,039
2004 September/1,056
2004 Year-to-Date/11,497
2003 Total/11,976
2002 Total/10,473
The Northeast Florida Builders Association provides education, research, legislative representation, media relations, promotions and programs for its 1,500-plus builder and associate members. The Association is celebrating 60 years of service to members and to the community through various charitable efforts.