New Single Family Housing Starts Up 12 Percent In 2017
For the second consecutive year, new housing starts were up significantly in Johnston County.
In 2017, a total of 1,569 permits were issued for new single family homes, up 12 percent from 1,395 permits issued in 2016. The average value of a new single family home permitted last year was $183,796 down slightly from an average cost of $185,635 in 2016. The lower average cost likely means builders were building more smaller homes in 2017.
A total of 108 commercial building permits were issued in 2017, up from 95 in 2016.
Manufactured housing numbers remained steady. 85 permits were issued for singlewide mobile homes up from 79 the year before. 101 doublewide mobile home permits were issued last year compared to 100 in 2016. Permits were issued for 31 modular homes, down slightly from 38 the year before.
Permits for 4 duplexes were issued last year, up from 3 in 2016.
Dean Barbour, Director of the Johnston County Inspections Department believes the first half of 2018 will continue to show growth, followed by a leveling off in the second half of the year.
“I see the building industry continuing the strong growth that we have experienced the last two years well into the first two quarters of 2018,” Barbour told WTSB News. “The affordable housing market will be lead by apartments and townhouses. The lot cost for single family housing is placing this market where builders find it hard to build a small house and turn a profit.”
“I see the building industry leveling off some during the last quarter of 2018,” Barbour said. “The infrastructure will need addressing to respond to the growth we are experiencing. My prediction is that this will be a great year for home builders in Johnston County.”
