Home building permits increased in October compared to previous months, though the number of units decreased versus a year ago.

According to statistics within the Keystone Report for the Builders Association of the Twin Cities, there were 289 permits issued last month compared to 227 in October 2010.

Though permits increased, the number of units permitted last month fell to 378 from 551. There were more single-family construction projects and fewer large multifamily projects. Year to date, permits declined to 2,450 though October versus 2,512 in the same period last year. The year to date number of permitted units dropped to 3,519 from 4,486 in the same period a year ago.

Top cities last month for permits were Blaine, Woodbury, Plymouth, Lakeville and Maple Grove. Blaine and Woodbury also topped the list for planned units in the month, followed by Farmington, Plymouth and Savage.

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Home-building permits issued throughout the Twin Cities rose to their highest level for a single month of 2011 in September.

Single-family construction in the Twin Cities area increased while multifamily construction dropped, according to statistics compiled by the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC). According to the Keystone Report, there were 272 permits issued for a total of 352 units during four weeks last month. That compared with 228 permits for a total of 604 units in September 2010. Maple Grove had the most permitted units, with 44, followed by Plymouth and Forest Lake. Year-to-date, Blaine had the most units, at 263, followed by Bloomington and Minneapolis.

The BATC reports the number of permits issued last month was more than any September since 2007. For units, however, it was the slowest month in more than five years. That’s actually a good sign for home builders because it means more single-family homes are being constructed, versus apartment complexes.

“The permits are up. They’re going in the right direction,” said Rich Riemersma, president of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities and co-owner of Imperial Homes. “But it’s a more gradual return to the norm than we were hoping for.”

For the year-to-date, though, 2011 new construction is below last year’s level. Through September, 2,161 permits were issued for a total of 3,141 units, while by this time last year 2,285 permits had been issued for 3,935 units.

On a related note, another type of construction happening in the Twin Cities right now is homeowners who have decided to stay in their homes are moving ahead with remodeling projects. Though in some cases they are scaling back the scope of their home improvement projects and spending less, other people are getting such good deals on houses they can afford to fix them up or make changes. The average remodeling permit estimate has dropped, though, to $1,600, down from more than $2,000 in 2010.

Are you thinking about buying a new house? How about remodeling your current home?

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Many home buyers now require more environmentally-friendly products in the construction of their homes. However, while some products are obviously green, others make great contributions to a home’s efficiency without being noticed. Here are some products that can contribute to a more earth-friendly and sustainable home.

Wood Look. FSC-certified bamboo plywood and flooring have the look of wood, are urea formaldehyde-free and carry Indoor Advantage Gold and FloorScore certifications.

Water Savers. Showerheads with flow rates of 1.5 or 1.75 gpm but feature an oversized 4.4-inch diameter spray head and a pressure-compensating device ensure optimal performance regardless of water pressure.

Power Flush. The dual-flush toilets offer users the option of a 0.9-gallon flush for liquid waste or a traditional 1.6 gallons for solid waste.

Get Plugged. In. The new electronic thermostats feature multi-room monitoring, as well as customizable levels of programming.

Ventilation Matters. Energy Star–rated ventilation fans are designed for 4- or 6-inch ducts. New technology can detect and compensate for additional interior pressure by increasing airflow to achieve the specified output.

“Green” comes in many forms, so it helps to look beyond the obvious and investigate other little-known benefits.

Read about more products like these at Builder Magazine.

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Universal design features for homes have been discussed by builders at length this year as something that must be addressed as the Baby Boomer generation ages. Physically challenged and older individuals navigate the home differently. But universal design products aren’t just better for older people, they can be better for all members of a household, young or old.

Here are 6 product types to consider for a new home or even kitchen or bathroom remodeling projects.

• Safety Tub: Easy to get in and out of, walk-in safety tubs have a door that opens and closes so a person using it doesn’t have to step over the rim.
• Lever Handle Door Knobs: Lever handle door knobs are so much easier to operate than a round door knob that they can be opened with a wrist, elbow or even hip.
• Freezer Drawers: Refrigerators with accessible freezer drawers that are at the bottom of the unit instead of the top make it easy to for individuals in wheelchairs to reach frozen items.
• Flat Switches: Flat rocker light switches require less pressure and are easier to operate than standard toggle switches.
• Zero-Clearance Drain: Line drains allow home owners to eliminate the barriers and thresholds of a shower entirely. They make showers much more accessible for people in wheelchairs.
• Accessible Range: An ADA-compliant stove makes cooking safer and more comfortable. The handles, buttons, and graphics are located on the front, positioned closer to the user.

Read 13 Universal Design Products Builders Should Be Using Now at Builder Magazine.

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Single-family construction in the Twin Cities area is steady, according to a report from the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC).

In June, more permits were issued than in any other month in the last year, and planned units were up 13 percent from June 2010. There were 260 permits for a total of 385 units during four weeks in the month of June. Year-to-date through June, there were 1,325 permits issued for a total of 1,925 units.

Blaine was the leader, with 139 permits, followed by Maple Grove with 106, Woodbury with 94, Plymouth with 79 and Shakopee with 58.

“This year has been challenging for the local community,” said BATC President Rich Riemersma. “Bad weather, including the devastating tornadoes in North Minneapolis, uncertain economic news, and distressed property sales dragging local sales prices down have all contributed to lackluster home sales. New construction is still down about 23% from last year, and just as we’re beginning to catch up.

“The government shut down is something we just don’t need.”

While most construction work can continue, electrical inspections for new or remodeled homes will be put on hold throughout the state government shutdown.

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