Two permits for new construction were pulled last week at Cascades at Southern Hills in Brooksville, Hernando County, Florida.  These were the first new construction permits pulled in over two years at the community and Lew Chandler, Brooksville building official, views this as a good sign.  “I’m happy to see it,” Chandler said. “Hopefully, it’s a signal things are getting better.”

Single family building permits have been slow business in Hernando County, as the county issued only 17 in the month of February and 13 in January.  It’s the foreclosures and distressed homes that have made up a majority of the real estate sales, since the financial crisis took a foot hold.

Cascades at Southern Hills, a 55 and over community, was purchased in August of 2009 by CaSHP Homes after Levitt & Sons, former developer of the community, filed Chapter 11.  Home builder, Lennar Homes has acquired 120 of the sites in the community with plans to construct villa-style homes ranging from 1,350 to 2,000 sq ft., featuring amenities such as modern appliances and brick paved walks and drives.