According to a report released recently, Cobb County and its six cities issued the fewest building permits of the year in September. However, officials say that there is no reason for concern regarding the drop in permits issued as construction often slows during this time of year.

Construction is Seasonal
Dana Johnson, Director of Community Development for Cobb County, said that construction was a seasonal industry, with fewer projects being started as the weather turns colder. More permits are traditionally issued in the spring and summer than in the winter or fall. According to other reports, the housing market in the county is continuing to improve, with prerecession numbers being reported throughout the area.

Permits Issued
In September 2015, 129 permits for single family homes were issued throughout the county, almost 12 percent less than those issued in August. However, there were also 129 permits issued in September 2014, indicating that the reduction in permits is a seasonal issue. Overall, 1,181 permits for single-family homes have been issued in 2015, almost 13 percent more than were issued in 2014. Throughout the country, building permits for single-family homes dropped in August, but are up by almost seven percent since 2014.

Marietta and Smyrna
In Cobb County, Marietta issued the most permits with 17 while Smyrna was a close second with 14. Acworth issued six, Powder Springs issued two and Austell issued one permit during September. Only Kennesaw issued no permits during the month. Marietta’s Development Services Director, Brian Binzer, said that he anticipates more building permits being issued early in 2016, despite the historical slowdown in construction projects during the winter months. This is due to a large number of developments scheduled to break ground in the area after the first of the year.

Georgia Housing Market
In addition to a growth in building permits over the past year, Georgia has also experienced growth in home sales over the past year. In April 2015, new home sales increased by almost four percent over March 2015 and almost nine percent between April 2014 and April 2015. Since 2014, the average home price also increased by almost 12 percent throughout Georgia. New listings also increased over the past year by just over six percent.

After a new home is completed, it is important to obtain homeowner’s insurance that includes property and liability coverage. In addition, if a building permit is issued for home renovations, such as an addition, a deck or patio, it is important to increase the coverage of a home to cover the new sections as well as the existing sections. If you were one of the recipients of a building permit in Cobb County over the past year, contact Waggoner Insurance to learn whether you have sufficient coverage on your home. They can also provide you with quotes for your auto, life and health insurance needs. Protect your property and family with the right amount of coverage today.

Source:
MDJ Online