Oklahoma City issued 1,094 single-family building permits through April, up 32 percent from the first four months of 2011, according to the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association.

Edmond's smaller numbers made for a much larger statistical gain: The 184 permits issued through April was a 72 percent increase compared with the same period last year.

Oklahoma City's increase alone more than made up for decreases of 8 percent in Midwest City, 16.8 percent in Moore and 12.3 percent in Norman. Those suburbs' smaller numbers also create large statistical losses; combined, the decreases compared with the first third of last year amounted to just 36 permits.

Oklahoma City issued 306 more permits through April — 8.5 times the minor decreases in Midwest City, Moore and Norman.

The supply of homes for sale stood at 5.5 months on April 30, according to The Oklahoman's estimate using statistics from the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors. That level of inventory is considered a healthy market.

In other words, at the average monthly sales pace for the past year of 1,374.5 homes, it would take 5.5 months to sell the 7,614 listings at the end of April. The estimate does not include houses offered for sale directly by owners or builders not using a Realtor.

Nationally, the number of homes for sale hit a 6.6-month supply, down from 9.1 months a year ago, the National Association of Realtors reported.