Harlingen sees home permits rise

HARLINGEN – The number of permits for new home construction increased for the first time since 2006, according to the city building permit office.

In the first two months of the year, the city issued 15 building permits for new single-family homes. This is an increase from the nine permits issued for the same period in 2012. There were 38 permits issued for new home construction at the beginning of 2008.

The average size of these new homes is 1,900 sf, with an average valuation of $120,000.

The average home in 2012 sold for $125,124, or $69.69 per sf, according to the Harlingen Multiple Listing Service. In 2013, the average price dropped to $105,062, or $62.36 per sf.

Prices have increased about 2 percent in Cameron County and 5 to 8 percent in Hidalgo County, according to Realtor Tony Gutierrez.

South Padre Island’s building permits increased in March, when the city issued 22 permits — 15 for residential construction and seven for commercial. A year ago, 12 permits were issued.

The City of La Feria issued 13 building permits between January and March 2012,witha total valuation of $7,952,045, according to Irene Szedlmayer, the city’s director of planning and community development. Though, most of that valuation was for a $5.9 million, 80-unit apartment complex.

For the same period in 2013 La Feria had 18 building permits, with a total valuation of $242,733.