A recent column in the Orange County Register spotlighted Orange County’s current homebuilding boom. Not merely a welcome sign of a recovering economy, the OC construction boom is reaching heights that haven’t been seen in perhaps as long as 10 years.

While homebuying has fallen by 7 percent in the six SoCal counties, in OC it’s up by 71 percent for the last fiscal year (ending July 2014). In that same period, more than 4300 new homes were sold in Orange County—the most since 2007. Register columnist Jonathan Lansner points out that OC builders sold more homes than in Los Angeles County, which is far larger, and Riverside County, known as a fast-building area.

“Last time that happened? 1998,” he writes.

That’s exciting news for our local homebuilding and construction contractors, but Lansner offers even more to feel happy about. One homebuilding executive quoted in his column believes that the OC construction boom will radiate out to the coast, and then inland, as long as there’s solid economic growth in the next 3-5 years.

Lansner isn’t the only one taking notice of improving homebuilding construction conditions. The National Assn. of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market index has been steadily rising, hitting 55 in August—the third consecutive monthly gain, and the highest level since January.

We’re excited to look on the OC construction boom as a sign of improving conditions across the state, and all across the country.

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