Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Gene Kennedy ReportingIf you build it, they'll move in! There are lots of new homes in Utah, plus big demand for them. More than 10,000 housing permits were issued in Utah in just the last six months -- up 17-percent from this time last year. That's an all-time high. Several of the developers' sweet spots are right along the Wasatch Front.
Ben Brandon, New Homeowner: "Herriman's a sweet spot. A lot of young couples are moving in."
Like Ben Brandon and Natalie Baer who took a walk through their future house. By October, what's now just a skeleton of boards will become their home.
"As far as a new home, I like this because I can pick what I want. There's a warranty, it's all new."
All new all across the state. Take St. George where 660 housing permits have been issued just since the beginning of the year the highest in the state. But Lehi ranks second with 483 permits, just below that are Herriman and West Jordan.
The Liberty Homes subdivision, where Natalie Baer is moving, looks much different than it did a year ago.
"Some developers say the supply can not keep up with the demand. Officials at Liberty Homes say they're not having a problem but it sure takes a lot of work."
"We're developing as fast as we can to keep it going and keep people happy."
But what's driving the boom? Lots of factors. Housing analysts expect Utah to grow by 22,000 people by the end of the year. Add to that, a robust job market, low interest rates and easy-to-get home loans. That's exactly how Ben Brandon and Natalie Baer are making the move, like so many others.
Also fueling the housing boom are developers from Southern California and Las Vegas coming to Utah because they've run out of land.
