Cherokee Tribune
06/05/2009
Ashley Fuller

New home activity in Cherokee County increased for the third time in four months in May, but still trails last year’s pace.

There were 92 single-family housing permits issued in the county last month, up from 28 issued in April and 85 issued in May of last year.

So far this year, 251 permits have been issued throughout the county, down from 517 issued at this time in 2008.

Mike Shina of Windsong Properties, president of the Cherokee chapter of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, said he could see “a great three months coming.”

“Those numbers are being driven by people,” he said, adding his company is seeing a lot of traffic. “People are realizing it is still a good option to build their own home and get exactly what they want.”

The county building department, which serves unincorporated Cherokee and the city of Waleska, issued 74 single-family permits last month, up from 13 in April and 41 in May of 2008.

County Commissioner Harry Johnston said the increasing county number is an encouraging sign for the market.

“It is entirely possible that we have hit the bottom, and we are back on an upswing,” he said.

This year, the department has issued 140 permits, down from 285 issued at this time last year.

Bob Romano, executive vice president for Coldwell Banker NRT (National Real Estate Trust) Development Advisors, said a turnaround may not happen until the second quarter of last year.

According to a report released recently by the company, the number of permits in the metro Atlanta area – including Cherokee – reached an eight-year low in the first quarter of 2009. This was due to difficulty in getting financing, over-supply and low demand and high construction costs, the company’s research found.

“It is very difficult for a builder to make a go of it right now,” he said about making a profit from a new home due to the cost of materials.

Woodstock issued four single-family permits last month, down from six in April and nine issued in May last year.

So far this year, the city has issued 37 single-family permits, down from 52 issued at this same time last year.

Canton issued six single-family permits in May, up from two in April but down from 14 issued in May last year. This year so far, the city has issued 14 single-family permits, down from 68 issued through May last year.

Holly Springs handed out eight single-family permits last month, up slightly from seven issued in April, but down from 15 issued in May of last year. So far this year, the city has issued 49 single-family permits, down from 97 issued through May last year.

Ball Ground did not issue any housing permits in May or in April. The city issued six in May of last year. This year so far, the city has issued 11 permits, down from 15 at this point last year.

The city of Nelson has not issued a housing permit in the county so far this year or last year.