New-home permit activity is up 1 percent for the year-to-date, finishing November at 10,097 single-family permits. That marks the third straight year and the fourth time in the last six years the metropolitan area has reached the 10,000-permit plateau. This year also marks the first time the metro area reached 10,000 single-family permits by the end of November. A total of 9,989 permits were issued during the first 11 months of 2003, the previous record for permits issued by the end of November.

Last month’s strong numbers suggest the pre-election jitters home builders displayed in October were left quickly behind, according to HBA Executive Vice President Tim Underwood. October’s permit totals were down 11 percent from last year.

“I think November’s record numbers show the local construction market remains very strong,” Underwood said. “We continue to see a growing demand for more housing choices throughout metropolitan Kansas City, and home builders are responding to that demand. We anticipate the local market will finish 2004 in record territory and the prospects are good for the start of 2005.”

The fastest growth in new-home construction continues to occur primarily in locations further from the urban center where home prices are generally lower and more accessible for the majority of Kansas City homebuyers. Among cities issuing more than 100 single-family permits, the municipalities posting the largest percentage gains are Louisburg (712 percent), Leavenworth (53 percent), Blue Springs (49 percent), Belton (47 percent) and Gardner (39 percent).

“I think this should serve as a reminder that the ability to provide housing choices for first-time homebuyers is essential to vibrant, growing communities,” Underwood said.

Kansas City, Mo., remained the top city in new-home construction activity through November with 1,656 single-family permits issued year to date. Olathe ranked second with 921 permits followed by Lee’s Summit with 838 and Overland Park with 782. Rounding out the top 10 were Kansas City, Kan./Wyandotte County, 447; Shawnee, 411; Independence, 404; Raymore, 402; Gardner, 377; and Lenexa, 355.

The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (HBA) is the voice of the housing industry and the source for housing information. Comprising more than 1,000 member companies, the HBA represents an industry that contributes more than $2.5 billion to the Kansas City economy and supports more than 36,000 jobs in the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area.