For the year-to-date, new-home construction remained 7 percent off last year’s record pace. A total of 6,988 single-family permits have been issued through August. That total tied the 1999 pace for construction through the first eight months of the year and ranks as the second highest total for the year-to-date following only the 7,491 permits issued in 2004.

Single-family construction monthly permit have ranged between 836 to 874 permits during the last five months, demonstrating remarkable consistency amid national concerns about mortgage rates, housing values and consumer confidence. While the issue of hurricane recovery in the Gulf Coast adds to speculation about the national housing market, HBA Executive Vice President/CEO Tim Underwood said metropolitan Kansas City remains well insulated from significant disruptions to the housing market.

“In regards to the impact of hurricane recovery in the Gulf Coast, local builders are currently seeing volatile pricing for key materials such as lumber, plywood, roofing materials and other products. But prices should stabilize once we have a better understanding of the long-term impact of recovery and reconstruction efforts.”

Underwood said expanding housing choices and reaching new buyers are essential to maintaining a robust residential construction economy. “Growth rates and home price appreciation in the region have remained very steady compared to many markets nationally. There remains untapped potential and unmet demand for more housing choices at lower price ranges, particularly for first-time buyers.”

Consumers have their opportunity to see the latest housing choices from area home builders during the HBA’s 58th annual Parade of Homes. This year’s parade features a record 694 homes located throughout Greater Kansas City with home prices ranging from around $100,000 up to $3 million, shining the spotlight on new homes from Urban Living lofts and condominiums to suburban single-family homes, villas and townhomes. The parade opened Sunday and continues through Oct. 9 with homes open daily
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Kansas City, Mo., leads the metro area in new-home construction with 1,174 single-family permits issued so far this year. Olathe ranks second with 620 permits, followed by Lee’s Summit with 536 permits and Overland Park with 414. Rounding out the top 10 are Raymore, 334 permits; Shawnee, 300; Gardner, 297; Kansas City, Kan./Wyandotte County, 295; Independence, 266; and Lenexa, 227.

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.