Steve Farmer,construction superintendent for M/I Homes Division, caulks an exterior light fixture at a home under construction on Magneta Loop at the Estates of Auburndale in Auburndale on Wednesday.

LAKELAND | Local home builders slowed their pace in November, but 2013 will still go down as a rebound year for the construction industry.

A total 1,776 single-family home permits have been recorded in Polk County through November, the area's highest sum since 2008, when 2,226 permits were counted. Construction activity is already up more than 37 percent from last year, even with one month to go.

"We've had a real surge. We saw a pretty dramatic pickup, probably starting mid-summer," said Mike Hickman, a Lakeland-based custom home builder. "We'll have at least eight homes in the works for the first quarter (next year)."

Polk recorded 111 home permits in November, five fewer than the year before and down from 154 permits in October. November's total does not include permitting figures for Lakeland, which were unavailable Wednesday.

New home construction has been on a strong uptick this year. Unsold existing homes have been in short supply, and many of Polk's distressed properties have been snapped up by investors and other buyers, which has caused median values to rise and helped stabilize the market.

The county's median sale price for existing single- family homes was $123,950 in October (the latest month available), up 14.5 percent on an annual basis, according to the Florida Realtors organization.

With demand returning, construction has resumed at a number of unfinished subdivisions across Polk. Winter Haven had 29 permits last month, versus 16 a year ago and 19 in October.

The increase "came from Lennar picking back up at Traditions," said Alicia Hurley, a permit technician for the city, referring to the neighborhood off Thompson Nursery Road. Builder D.R. Horton also has been working on new homes in Winter Haven.

"Everybody's picked up a little bit," she said.

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Rebound Year: In 2013, Polk County Recorded 1,776 Single-Family Home Permits

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U.S. home construction hits highest pace in 5 years

Harrisburg, PA (PRWEB) December 16, 2013

Costello Builders, custom home builders based out of Lancaster, PA, has recently launched a new development, Deaven Woods which is located in the Harrisburg area. Currently, Costello Builders have three other development sites all of which are located in the Lancaster area.

Deaven Woods consists of 35 large home lots surrounded by a beautiful landscape. Located in an intimate setting, a majority of these 35 lots feature rear tree lined yards and the potential for walk out basement construction. Deaven Woods lots range anywhere from $135,000 to $195,000 depending on the lots location and size. Additionally, lots vary in sizes up to 252 feet deep and up to 285 feet of frontage.

The homes in this development feature a unique combination of Old World European styling with timeless American design. Extensive stone and masonry work, trim and interior millwork are a few common elements that helps define Deaven Woods.

Deaven Woods is conveniently located near Harrisburg and Hershey between routes 322 and 81. It is also approximately 15 minutes from the Hershey Medical Center.

Costello Builders, a 25-year-old business based in Lancaster, is operated by brothers Dave and Tom Costello. Costello Builders is committed to providing personalized service through the entire custom home building process, and have completed many new home projects and developments in Central PA. Costello Builders have lots available in their new home developments or will gladly build a quality custom home on your lot.

The brothers and their team of designers and builders bring superior talent and experience to customers looking for excellence in craftsmanship in their new homes. Costello Builders is known for Fine Home Building and has won many awards including several First Place positions in both the Lancaster and Harrisburg Parade of Homes, and is a Fulton Award recipient.

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Costello Builders Launches Deaven Woods Development in Harrisburg

Menlo Park Custom Home Builders - San Francisco
Character - We want to be able to go home at the end of each day and be proud of who we are and the choices that we have made. In every aspect of our busines...

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Menlo Park Custom Home Builders - San Francisco - Video

HOME BUILDERS ASSN. PHOTOThe pool room and fireplace at the Blackledge residence in Biloxi, which won a first place for Kevin Taylor and Plum Homes in the 19th Annual Best of Mississippi Awards from the Home Builders Association of Mississippi.

BILLY DUGGER

The Home Builders Association of Mississippi recently announced the winners of its 19th Annual Best of Mississippi Awards.

Kevin Taylor of Plum Homes took home the Grand Award for the Blackledge residence in Biloxi for its style, creativity and craftsmanship. The 5,700-square-foot home has views of the bayous and gardens, custom double mahogany front doors, travertine floors, a custom stone mantle fireplace and a wrought iron staircase. The outdoor living space is 3,000 square feet and has a fireplace, water features, outdoor kitchen, heaters, a misting system and flat-screen televisions.

Other winners were:

n Wendy McDonald with Bay-Waveland Habitat for Humanity won a Merit Award for Single Family New Construction of a Custom Home with less than

1,800 square feet for the Affordable Green, Fortified Home Program.

n Barbara Levine with Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast won for Single Family New Construction of a Spec Home with less than 1,800 square feet for Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Gulf Coast's 1 Percent Pilot Program.

n Michael and Kimberly Fritz of Fritz Development won for New Construction of a Custom Home with 2,500 to 5,000 square feet for a Destiny Plantation residence.

n Rickey Copponex of Caliber Properties LLC won for New Construction of a Custom Home with more than 5,000 square feet for a waterside residence.

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Plum Homes wins 'Best of Mississippi'

With land at a premium and the cost to develop subdivisions rising, home builders are always looking for construction opportunities.

That's why Kenneth Homes is erecting eight single-family houses in The Lakes in Mount Joy Borough, a well-established community within walking distance of downtown Mount Joy.

Some lots Kenneth Homes is building on offer lake views, said general manager Brian Gavin. The neighborhood is "an attractive community" with a park that features the aforementioned lake, walking trails, a playground, tennis courts and basketball courts, he said.

And because the development is almost completed, buyers won't have to worry about construction "going on around them for the next five years," Gavin said.

The eight Kenneth Homes' lots are less than a quarter of an acre, and all will feature daylight basements. Six of the home sites will have walk-out basements, too.

A furnished model house and three spec homes are either finished or well under construction.

Kenneth Homes has two floor plans available in The Lakes: the Osprey, priced at $249,900, and the Hershock, priced at $214,900.

Standard in both are stone on the facade; gas heat; a two-car garage with upgraded door; an egress window in the full basement; poured-concrete foundations; maple cabinets; a custom trim package with accent painting; oil-rubbed bronze fixtures; and name-brand appliances, including a gas stove and a microwave.

Gavin said other builders often make gas stoves an option, while it's part of the normal package offered by Kenneth Homes.

The model is an Osprey, a two-story, 2,046-square-foot residence with four bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, a front porch, an unfinished walk-out basement and a small patio off the basement.

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Lakes in Mount Joy offers access to park, town, I-283

Kansas City Custom Home Builders Owen Custom Homes 816-224-4626
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Kansas City Custom Home Builders • Owen Custom Homes 816-224-4626 - Video

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Affiliated -- custom home builders Melbourne mpeg2video - Video

AC Atlanta Custom Home Builders call 770-591-4464 Free Estimate Atlanta Ga
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AC Atlanta Custom Home Builders call 770-591-4464 Free Estimate Atlanta Ga - Video

Building a custom home today involves much more than specialized floor plans. Homeowners have endless options for special features and unique touches that can turn a home into a personal oasis.

Most people who build a custom home prefer to be able to influence the design, appliances, fixtures and dcor selections rather than buying a replicated product, Kevin M. Stuckey, managing partner at Stuckey Builders LLC, explained.

Stuckey and other members of the Custom Builders Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association cite several hot trends in todays market.

Functionality over Formality

James D. McVaugh, founder and president of McVaugh Custom Homes Inc., said homebuyers tend to prefer functionality over formal living spaces.

This is particularly true with great rooms where dining, kitchen and living rooms all blend in an L-shape configuration with a high ceiling, he explained. We are also seeing kitchen islands getting bigger and designed in new shapes like the letter T which seats more people and allows for easier conversations.

Amanda Pallotta, associate designer and of sister companies Contour Interior Design LLC and Capital Builders & Designers LLC, explained that clients tailor their homes to fit their lifestyle.

Separate playrooms, theaters and home offices are all integral spaces that are consistently requested by clients, she said. It is very important to design for all members of the family so each individual living in the house can be comfortable. In order to achieve this higher standard of livability, the spaces need to be multifunctional.

The Great Outdoors

Functional living spaces often incorporate patios and backyards, McVaugh said. With our favorable weather, we are incorporating outdoor sliding pocket door systems that when open, literally blend the inside with the outside. Outside areas now offer fire pits, water features, summer kitchens and the newest evolution away from giant pools to smaller splash pools.

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Builders say custom homes trending toward ‘personal oases’