By Randall Turk
The Norman Transcript

Building permits for new homes in Norman increased more than 13 percent during the first half of 2006, compared to the same period last year.

Residential permits in Moore took the opposite route, slipping more than 23 percent from the level established at mid-2005. Taken together, residential building permits in Norman, Moore and Noble still comprised about 20 percent of new home permits in the metro area through June of this year, compared to 21.8 percent at mid-2005.

Reports from area cities and towns indicate total metro homebuilding activity involved 3,722 homes through June this year, an increase of only about 1.8 percent compared to the first six months of last year.

The Norman building inspections and permits office indicates 419 residential permits were issued through June, compared to 370 at that time last year.

Moore registered 316 residential permits compared to 413 for the first half of 2005. Officials say increasing mortgage interest rates may be to blame, along with lessened need to replace homes destroyed by tornadoes that tore through Moore in 1999 and 2003.

“We’re building bigger, nicer houses,” said Moore Mayor Glenn Lewis. Moore’s new comprehensive city plan includes restricting east side homebuilding to lots of a half-acre or larger, he said. “Even in smaller homes in Moore, the prices are going up. Right now it’s about $125 a square foot. People are looking for more upscale places.”

Lewis said replacing tornado-damaged homes is no longer a significant source of builder activity in Moore. “We’re past that. And we’re running out of lots. There are only four or five tracts of 50 acres or bigger left in Moore.”

In Noble 14 residential building permits were issued through June, off 2 from mid-2005.

Residential building permits do not necessarily reflect the current level of home sales. In addition to the several months required to build a home, some builders add to their housing stock during the warmer months for subsequent sale when the peak building period declines. Builders pay tax assessments only on the cost of building materials until new homes are sold.

Among metro area home permit highlights at mid-year:
• Edmond’s 338 permits increased 11.9 percent from the first half of 2005.
• Blanchard, with 35 permits, was off more than 60 percent compared to the 88 reached through June of last year.
• Choctaw, with 39 permits, was down 29 percent.
• South Oklahoma City registered 855 permits, an increase of nearly 5 percent.
• Midwest City and Del City home permits totaled 153, up nearly 43 percent.
• Mustang, with 195 permits, was up more than 43 percent from this time last year.

New homes continue to grow in value and size throughout the area. All Norman homes issued permits this year average more than 3,100 square feet. In Moore and Midwest City the average is around 2,300 square feet. The average size grows to 2,600 square feet in south Oklahoma City and 3,400 in Edmond.

Among Norman’s more active subdivisions over the year are Summit Lakes, with 50 building permits, Deerfield, 22, and Tecumseh Meadows, 20. All are in east and north sections of the city.

In Moore, 45 permits were issued for homes in Kensington Place, 38 for Rockcreek and 20 in The Falls.

Popular south Oklahoma City subdivisions include Liberty Trails, with 53 home permits, Stone Meadows, 55, and Westgate Gardens South, 33.
Ideal Homes, based in Norman, and Home Creations, in Moore, continue to top the list of active builders. Ideal Homes was issued 278 building permits and Home Creations 238. Both companies build homes throughout the metro.

Vesta Homes, of Moore, was the fourth most active builder, with 76 residential permits.