Lee, Collier housing starts up

NAPLES — Inventory is down, new construction is picking up, and move-ins are increasing in Lee and Collier counties, according to Metrostudy.

Even though Metrostudy only analyzes data for subdivisions, the trends are strongly positive: Housing starts went up to 601 in the first quarter of 2011, up from 336 in the prior quarter; inventory is down to a 5.7-month supply; and move-ins rose to 494, up from 382.

Lee County's housing stats are slightly better than those of its southern counterpart; its inventory is at 4.5 months of supply, compared to the 7.8-month supply in Collier. Still, both numbers have improved significantly over the year, down from 9.9 months and 12.1 months respectively.