A review of the latest permit data on record with HBW for new home construction in Florida during the month of December 2019
Based on the latest permit data available from the HBW database, there were more than 5,100 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $1.4 billion in Florida last month. Out of the five major regions reviewed (Tampa, Southwest, Southeast, Orlando, Jacksonville), Tampa (1,476 permits) held the highest total number of new residential construction permits, while Southeast Florida carried the highest average value of new home construction (average value: $296,427).
Here is a closer look at total permits, leading counties and top builders by area in Florida last month:
Tampa
As previously mentioned, Tampa led Florida for new home construction last month, having 1,476 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $435 million. The average value of construction landed on the higher end of the spectrum in comparison to other regions reviewed (average value: $294,635), and the county with the highest concentration of new permits was Hillsborough County (427 permits).
Out of the 195 active home builders with new construction activity on record last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:
| Builder | Total Permits |
| Lennar Homes | 241 |
| The Villages of Lake Sumter | 162 |
| D.R. Horton | 155 |
| Highland Homes | 68 |
| Pulte Homes | 60 |
Southwest
Southwest Florida ranked #2 for new home construction last month as there were 1,273 housing starts with a total construction value in excess of $315 million. The average value of new residential construction landed mid-range in comparison to other Florida regions reviewed (average value: $247,702), and more than half of all new construction took place in the counties of Lee (371 permits) and Sarasota (308 permits).
Out of the 235 active builders in the area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new residential construction permits:
| Builder | Total Permits |
| D.R. Horton | 211 |
| Lennar Homes | 155 |
| Pulte Homes | 136 |
| Taylor Morrison | 80 |
| Neal Communities of SW FL | 51 |
Orlando
In Orlando and surrounding areas, there were nearly 1,000 housing starts with a total construction value in excess of $292.6 million last month. The average value of construction landed on the higher end of the spectrum coming in at $294,112, and the county with the highest concentration of housing starts was Orange County (328 permits).
Out of the more than 150 active builders in the area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits on record with HBW:
| Builder | Total Permits |
| D.R. Horton | 176 |
| Lennar Homes | 137 |
| Meritage Homes | 64 |
| Starlight Homes Florida | 40 |
| Ryan Homes | 39 |
Jacksonville
Last month, there were 713 housing starts with a total construction value of nearly $148 million in Jacksonville. The average value of construction was lowest in Jacksonville (average value: $207,236) in comparison to other Florida regions reviewed, and the bulk of all new construction took place in the counties of Duval (314 permits) and St. Johns (199 permits).
Out of the nearly 100 active home builders with new construction activity on record for the month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:
| Builder | Total Permits |
| D.R. Horton | 160 |
| American Classic Homes | 64 |
| Lennar Homes | 49 |
| Dream Finders Home | 47 |
| Mattamy Homes | 47 |
Southeast
In the Southeast, there were 646 housing starts with a total construction value of approximately $191.5 million during the month of December 2019. As previously mentioned, the average value of new home construction was highest in the southeastern region of Florida (average value: $296,427) in comparison to other areas reviewed, and the bulk of all new construction took place in Palm Beach County (214 permits) and St. Lucie County (203 permits).
Out of the 115 builders with construction activity on record for the month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:
| Builder | Total Permits |
| GL Building Corp. | 116 |
| Lennar Homes | 110 |
| D.R. Horton | 50 |
| Pulte Homes | 30 |
| Kolter Signature Homes | 26 |
To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.