Weather slows builders in hot DFW housing

DALLAS-FORT WORTH – December’s ice storm and recent cold snaps have delayed work on homes. Along with the limited talent in the workforce for home building jobs, the winter weather has put a hold on many projects, according to Ted Wilson, a principal at Residential Strategies.

At the end of fourth quarter 2013, there were 17,689 home lots under development in North Texas.

In 2013, there were 20,778 home starts, up 16 percent year-over-year, according to Residential Strategies. DFW builders closed on 5,218 homes during 4Q 2013, also up 16 percent year-over-year.

"There’s a lot of slabs ready to be poured, but the builders are limited because of the cold weather," Wilson said. "When it gets cold, it sets several people back and the housing starts get pushed back."