Based on the latest HBW construction data reports, there were more than 4,660 new residential construction permits with a total value in excess of $1.5 billion in Florida last month. Out of the five regions reviewed (Southwest, Tampa, Orlando, Southeast, Jacksonville), the greatest amount of new permits originated from the southwestern portion of the state (1,423 permits), while the highest average value of new construction projects could be found in the southeast (average value: $381,768).
When it comes to home builders, Lennar Homes (561 permits), D.R. Horton (483 permits), and Pulte Homes (419 permits) have a strong presence in the market; with a combined total of approximately 1,465 new permits last month, these leading builders were responsible for more than 30 percent of all new home construction permits in Florida.
Here is a closer look at the permit data for new home construction in Florida by region during the month of December:
Southwest
As previously noted, the southwestern region ranked #1 for new home construction, having 1,423 new permits with a total value of nearly $497.5 million. The average value of new home construction landed mid-range (average value: $349,569) in comparison to other regions reviewed, and well more than half of all new permits originated from the two counties of Lee (599 permits) and Sarasota (263 permits).
Out of nearly 340 home builders with new permits on record in the area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:
| Builder | Total Permits |
| 1-Lennar Homes | 204 |
| 2-Pulte Homes | 179 |
| 3-D.R. Horton | 161 |
Tampa
Next in line, Tampa had approximately 1,020 new residential construction permits with a total value of nearly $290.8 million on record with HBW last month. The average value of new home construction was $285,632, and the bulk of new permits originated from the two counties of Sumter (393 permits) and Polk (346 permits).
Out of approximately 145 home builders with new permits on record in the area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:
| Builder | Total Permits |
| 1-D.R. Horton | 135 |
| 2-The Villages of Lake Sumter | 106 |
| 3-Lennar Homes | 94 |
Orlando
Last month, there were more than 900 new residential construction permits with a total value of approximately $337 million on record for the Orlando area. The average value of new home construction landed on the higher end of the spectrum (average value: $371,668) in comparison to other Florida regions reviewed, and more than half of all new permits originated from the counties of Brevard (263 permits) and Lake (236 permits).
Out of nearly 140 home builders with new permits on record in the area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:
| Builder | Total Permits |
| 1-Lennar Homes | 151 |
| 2-Pulte Homes | 130 |
| 3-Viera Builders | 44 |
Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, there were approximately 755 new residential construction permits with a total value in excess of $205.3 million on record with HBW last month. The average value of new home construction was lowest in Jacksonville (average value: $272,699) in comparison to other Florida regions reviewed, and the majority of permits originated from the counties of Duval (277 permits) and St. Johns (235 permits).
Out of nearly 120 home builders with new permits on record in the area last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:
| Builder | Total Permits |
| 1-D.R. Horton | 101 |
| 2-Dream Finders Construction | 63 |
| 3-Pulte Homes | 54 |
Southeast
While the southeastern region of Florida held the lowest amount of new home construction last month (561 permits), the area held the highest average value of new residential construction projects (average value: $381,768), and just over 65 percent of all new construction took place in the two counties of St. Lucie (265 permits) and Miami-Dade (103 permits).
Out of 145 home builders with new permits on record in the southeastern region last month, the following ranked as the top three for total new permits:
| Builder | Total Permits |
| 1-Lennar Homes | 71 |
| 2-GL Building Corporation | 70 |
| 3-D.R. Horton | 45 |
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.