Could it be that Orlando area new housing has turned the proverbial corner? Based on third quarter stats just released for RESIDENTIAL MARKET REPORTS for Orlando, there is a glimmer of hope that the up-tick in construction starts during the past three months is the first step in the right direction. Third quarter new home research found production single-family starts up by just over 40% from the second quarter of 2009 (see attached graphic). Before we all celebrate, keep in mind that a 40% increase from a very small number to begin with, is … well, still a small number. But we’ll take what we can get, and hope that it’s the start of something bigger.

Within the three county (Seminole, Orange, Osceola) Metro Orlando area, production single-family builders started 603 new homes during the third quarter. Lake and NE Polk Counties added another 309 single-family starts for the quarter. And what about multi-family for-sale? There are also signs of life there as well, with third quarter starts up over 60% from the second quarter and 389 construction starts during the past three months. So where do all of these numbers stand relative to the third quarter of last year? Very close to flat … but in an economic and housing environment that has seen mostly negative numbers and downward trends over the past two years, “flat” seems not quite so bad … for now. And while third quarter numbers are a positive sign, one quarter does not a trend make. We’ll have to defer judgment on the “turn around” for another two or three quarters.

Third quarter RMR for Orlando is now available and encompasses over 430 production single-family and 240 multi-family for-sale projects within a 4 _ county area of Greater Orlando. A detailed profile is provided for each project and updated quarterly with information on floor plans, pricing, starts, closings, build-out status, vacant lots, amenities and more. Area housing trends, graphics, location maps and directories of all projects and builders are also included in each quarterly report. Call or email for further information about RMR, report samples, pricing and available package discounts.

Quarterly residential research and analysis conducted by Charles Wayne Consulting, Inc. encompass all single-family and multi-family housing developments of 15 units or more located within Central Florida. Charles Wayne Consulting, Inc. is an Orlando-based firm specializing in residential research and advisory services.

For more information, contact Jim Lewis, President, at (407) 660-0186, e-mail JLewis@CharlesWayne.com or visit www.charleswayne.com