More Building Permits Issued as Novato's Real Estate Market Rebounds

The housing market continues to heat up in Novato.

The number of building permits being issued by cities is on holding steady while foreclosures are on the decline.

RealtyTrac reports the number of single-family building permits nationwide increased 27 percent in the first quarter of 2013 to the highest level since 2008.

At the same, the number of foreclosure starts nationwide declined 27 percent to their lowest level since 2006.

In fact, the number of building permits issued and foreclosure starts were roughly the same for the first time since 2007.

Novato tallied 21 building permits issued in the first three months of this year, compared to 15 during the first quarter of 2012. The city had 26 foreclosure starts in the first quarter of 2013, down from 67 during the same time frame last year.

In Mill Valley, eight building permits were issued during the first three months of this year, compared to one during the same time period last year. There were seven foreclosure starts, compared to 22 in the first quarter of 2012.

San Ansemlo recorded one building permit during the first quarter of this year, up from non during the same time period last year. Foreclosure starts there have fallen from 14 in the first quarter of 2012 to two this year.