Builders looking for additional lots, more construction

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March 22, 2006

‘The best growth we’ve ever seen’

By Cass Rains The Enid News and Eagle Wed Mar 22, 2006, 02:31 PM CST

The prospect of more than 700 jobs being created in Enid over the next couple of years could increase the number of houses being built in Enid.

Several factors will increase the number of homes built annually, including: the end of the last round of BRAC, plans for the state’s first ethanol plant and the selection of Enid as one of the top five “up-and-coming” areas of the United States as featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

“We’ll have several years of us (builders) doing 100 to 120 homes a year,” said David Ritchie, managing member of Chisholm Creek Development Ltd. “There’s just a lot of stuff going on here. We as a community need to be very upbeat about it.”

Plans for added jobs, national exposure and resources for industry, such as vocational education and a skilled work force, have all contributed to expected growth in the number of jobs, Ritchie said.

While not all those who get jobs in Enid will buy homes in Enid, Ritchie estimated about 200 or more would be looking for a home.

Describing the housing market as “tight,” Ritchie said there are about 400 to 500 multi-list homes and about 260 hones on the market now.

The numbers of building permits for homes in Enid have been fluctuating the past four years.

Last year, 59 new home permits were issued, but in 2004 that number was 77. In 2003, the number of permits was 53 and 2002, the number was again 77.

Ritchie said the year after the completion of a 1995 round of BRAC, the number of new home permits was 128.

Ritchie said about 50 percent of the homes being built in Enid will cost more than $200,000, and the other homes being built will be in the $120,000 to $140,000 range.

Recent planning commission meetings have had developers and builders of housing editions seeking additional lots to meet an expected increase for new homes, Ritchie said.

One builder said Enid is experiencing “the best growth we’ve ever seen.”

Frank Clinage, general foreman for CNF Homebuilders Co., said he has three crews that frame houses and work is always steady.

“We’re seeing quite a bit (of work),” Clinage said. “We have three crews that are always framing something. About every five to six weeks they finish a job.”

Clinage said he sees the growth in Enid lasting.

“I’m real confident in what’s happening,” he said.

Carmen Ball, vice president of mortgage lending at Central National Bank, said rates are still good for people looking to finance or refinance.

Two years ago, record-breaking rates for financing were available, but Ball said she still sees some refinancing.

Ball said some are seeking home-improvement loans.

“It’ a sign people feel good about them (their homes) and the worth they have,” Ball said.

She said Enid’s being featured on “Good Morning America” also was another event that helped increase the interest in Enid’s housing market.

“It has really spurred a lot of activity.”

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