A VERY MODEST INCREASE IN HOUSING STARTS IN THE ALBUQUERQUE AREA THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR. THERE WERE 855, SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE NUMBER FROM A YEAR AGO. JOHN GARCIA WITH THE HOMEBUILDERS ASSOCIATION IS ENCOURAGED. HE SAYS HOUSING STARTS AND PERMITS ALWAYS PROVIDE A "TEMPERATURE" OF WHERE THE ECONOMY IS GOING. HE SAYS THE METRO IS AT LEAST SEEING SOME STABILIZATION IN THE MARKET.
IT'S BEEN FEAST OR FAMINE FOR HOMEBUILDERS IN ALBUQUERQUE IN RECENT YEARS. THERE WERE WELL OVER 9-THOUSAND HOUSING STARTS IN 2005. THE NUMBERS BOTTOMED OUT IN 2011 WHEN THERE WERE FEWER THAN 12-HUNDRED NEW HOMES BUILT.
