New construction or remodeling?

By Jade Sexton
jade@fillmorecountyjournal.com

Fri, Sep 7th, 2012
Posted in All Home & Garden

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Scheevel & Sons, Inc. levels off some dirt in a new housing development underway in Fountain, MN. Photo by Jason Sethre

In Fillmore County, the number of new houses being built has gone down a little in 2012. There are still people getting building permits for additions, garages, sheds, or farm buildings, but those numbers are also down slightly in 2012.

In 2010, there were 294 building permits issued in Fillmore County, and 54 of those were for brand new homes. In 2011, 335 building permits were issued, and 49 were for brand new homes. So far in 2012, there have been 181 building permits issued. At this time last year, the number was 240. There have been 20 new homes built in Fillmore County so far this year.

The trend seems to be that more and more people are remodeling or adding on instead of constructing a new home. Many garages were put up, both attached and detached, and there are new sheds and farm buildings being built. The struggles with the economy have affected everyone, even the smaller communities, and people are being more cautious with their money.

The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development report that new home construction was up in July about 15 percent from July of 2011. Many reports say this is a sign that the economy is stabilizing, and things are looking up. Property costs have gone down, and record-low interest rates are helping to stimulate the economy in all areas of the country.

Although things may have slowed down some this year for Minnesota, and other parts of the country, the hope is that next year there is some improvement, and that things will pick up in the construction industry, which will affect many other areas economically as well.

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