New home construction still stagnant

November continues to be a slow month for building new homes in Cherokee County.

A $45,000 Habitat for Humanity home was the only new home start in Gaffney last month. The city had no new home starts in November of 2004.

There were only four new home starts in the county compared to 15 in November of 2004, according to this month’s report from the Home Builders Association of Cherokee County. The average cost of the new homes fell from $128,939 in November 2004, to $108,878 in November of this year.

While fewer homes were being built, the report noted Cherokee County received more requests to move mobile homes.

The county issued 37 permits for mobile homes, with 16 being new units and 21 being relocations. In November of 2004, the county had 24 mobile home permits with 9 being for new units.

The largest commercial building permit issued in the county was $230,000 for a metal commercial building on South Green River Road. The largest commercial permit in the city was for a new $20,000 sign at Kentucky Fried Chicken.