At our Fall Board meeting in October, reports from our affiliates from around state provided a glimpse of the economic health of each area. Here are some of the reports:
BASCO
Membership is up to 230 with retention rate of 89 percent of total member, 93.8 percent retention of builder members, 85.2 percent of Associate members and 95.7 percent of Affiliates.
COHBA
The COHBA just wrapped up its Fall Membership drive, where it was able to bring in more than 30 new members. The association is experiencing a slight contraction in overall membership, which is not surprising in the current economy.
TULSA
Housing starts reported for the Tulsa metro area – including Claremore and Rogers county -- through August totaled 1,873.... Membership goal for Tulsa HBA was 1,000 this year, and the association is on target to achieve that milestone. Current membership is 983.
Enid
Enid area home sales have slowed, which is typical for this time of year. However, the number of permits year to date total 75, which is the highest in 15 years. And the 28 new homes on the market are the most in two decades. Outside builders have been buying up entire subdivisions of late. Most lots have been purchased in the Chisholm School District. There is a heavy inventory of new homes, and comps are good.
Southwest Oklahoma
The slow market continues to affect most of Southwest Oklahoma.
· Lawton area continues to see only a handful of permits every month.
· Elgin area northeast of Lawton continues to see about 6 to 8 new starts per month. Three to four builders are continuing to build a number of spec homes in that market.
· Altus is continuing to see some steady growth in the area with several new subdivisions and several more being planned in the coming months. This increase is due to the new Air Force wing coming to Altus area anticipated in 2017.
