New homes getting bigger again in Oklahoma City area, builders say

McCaleb said big companies with growing work forces are having a big impact in Edmond.

“We are still seeing large numbers of buyers in the Edmond market from Boeing (Co.), Devon (Energy Corp.), Chesapeake (Energy Corp.), Continental (Resources Inc.), Tinker (Air Force Base), SandRidge (Energy Inc.), Mercy (Health Center), Integris (Baptist Medical Center) and OU Medical (Center). Plus we are seeing a lot of local people moving to Edmond from other parts of Oklahoma City (area).”

Dinnes put the increases in economic perspective. Take the 31 percent increase in permits in Oklahoma City this year: That's 643 permits. Assuming an average price of $200,000, Dinnis said, it comes to $128 million pumped into the economy.

“When you consider that over 150 people touch (work on) each new home built, that has created and maintained a large number of jobs in our local economy,” he said. “Homebuilding is definitely a strong indicator as to our economic health not just to a local level but on a national level as well.”