My thanks to Michael Murphy, whose SalesTraq company keeps a close watch on home builders in the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho area. Here is his history of housing starts… not a pretty picture. (The data reflects each year through August):

1995 = 3,221 permits

1996 = 3,268 permits

1997 = 3,232 permits

1998 = 3,438 permits

1999 = 3,594 permits

2000 = 3,281 permits

2001 = 3,964 permits

2002 = 3,918 permits

2003 = 4,549 permits

2004 = 4,892 permits

2005 = 4,706 permits

2006 = 4,088 permits

2007 = 2,933 permits

2008 = 1,596 permits

2009 = 1,061 permits

And, as he points out… we have had the stimulus package in place this year. Ouch!