DESOTO COUNTY, MS (abc24.com) - More new homes are being built in DeSoto County this year than in the last several years. Construction numbers are almost double what they were in 2011. Mississippi builders point to what's happening in Memphis for their business boom.
"There's a 47% increase on the month," says planning director Ted Garrod. "If you looked at overall numbers for the year, they're up almost 90%."
"I've got 13 new homes going now," says builder Sean Green of Dream Home Construction. "That's the most I've ever built in the last 17 years, actually twice as many I've ever built at one time."
For Green the old adage holds true: it's all about location, especially when that location is right next to a DeSoto County school.
"With things going on in Memphis, we're building now next to Lewisburg High School, which is the most desired school in state of Mississippi. We're hoping that's going to help us a whole bunch in this particular subdivision."
"We just started construction about three weeks ago," adds Jody Dunning with Classic Homes LLC.
Green and Dunning say the planned community could total 600 houses.
How many will be built remains to be seen, but for a subdivision that's been on hold since 2007, it's good news.
"From day to day or week to week as you go by that subdivision you can see these homes under construction," Garrod says.
The builders point to the uncertainty in Memphis and Shelby County school systems, making Mississippi look even more attractive.
"We're getting a lot of people moving. A lot of interest out of Memphis, especially with the school district and everything," Green says.
"I don't think people would want to build houses that didn't have someone looking to purchase them," adds Garrod.
The next few years will determine how the gamble pays off.
