Nixa poised for another round of subdivision development

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Although the number of new home permits issued is down from last year, residential development in Nixa continues to boom, according to Danny Newell, building inspector for the city of Nixa.|ret||ret||tab|

Newell said 40 permits were issued by the end of April, while 83 were issued by the same time last year. "We're actually getting low on lots, as far as ones that are ready to build on," he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Within the next three to 12 months, 12 new subdivisions with nearly 1,400 lots will be under way, either in the planning stage or infrastructure construction stage, Newell said.|ret||ret||tab|

A few of the city's newest residential developments include Cobble Creek in southeast Nixa, Pembrook Place and South Haven in the southwest and The Springs in the northeast. The fourth phase of Parkmoor Heights is taking place north of City Hall. Other developments include Oakmont Heights, Royal Estates and the Lakeview subdivision of duplexes. |ret||ret||tab|

Last year, 216 new homes were built, which is down from 251 homes built five years ago. Newell said the biggest year for residential home development in the last 10 years was 1996, when 350 homes were built.|ret||ret||tab|

Currently, 5,690 homes are listed on the city's single-family utility hook-up list, Newell said. That number could potentially rise by a third in the next 12 to 24 months as the 1,300 to 1,400 new lots are developed, he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Newell said multiplex development also is occurring. One 16-plex development is near completion, and three more 16-plex projects are under way. |ret||ret||tab|

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No shortage of builders|ret||ret||tab|

Newell named about 20 builders who have been involved in much of the new home development in Nixa. Some of the most active builders include Jeff Cassidy, Randall Gear, Tim Harrington, Woodstone Builders (Shannon McMurdo), Jason Hedgepath, Jerry Carter, Kent Holder, Brian Hayes, Gordon Bates, Rick Ramsey, Larry Ballard, Jeff Lurvey, Mark and David Cope, Jerry Rockhold, Phil Young, Doug Hesterberg and Ron Stenger. |ret||ret||tab|

Larry Ballard, owner of Ballard Property Development LLC, said new home sales have been good due to low interest rates and the expectation they will stay low for at least another year. |ret||ret||tab|

Jeff Lurvey, owner of Jeff Lurvey Construction, agreed, adding that homes in the $105,000 to $110,000 price range and basement homes up to $155,000 are selling well. |ret||ret||tab|

"Basically, anything we list is sold within 30 days or so. The market has been very good," Lurvey said. |ret||ret||tab|

Many new homes in Nixa are sold to young, first-time home buyers, he said. |ret||ret||tab|

"I think the interest rates have driven a lot of it. A first home is a good investment, and you don't need much money down now to get into a home." |ret||ret||tab|

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Small-town attraction |ret||ret||tab|

Ballard said many home buyers are moving to Nixa from California and other states. |ret||ret||tab|

"Interestingly enough, we're attracting people from outside the area. This used to be a retirement area, but now we're getting younger people from all over the country," Ballard said. "The school systems and the small-town atmosphere of Nixa are what attracts them to this area."|ret||ret||tab|

Ballard said the average three-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-car garage house in Nixa measures about 1,500 square feet. Prices vary depending on how a home is finished but generally range from $115,000 to $125,000.|ret||ret||tab|

Many buyers require more space and desire walk-out basements because they have growing families, Ballard added.|ret||ret||tab|

Lurvey said market trends are not a big factor in the smaller house market.|ret||ret||tab|

"In the smaller market, it's hard to really follow trends. You have to follow a budget on things. You have to build as much house as you can for the money," he said. |ret||ret||tab|

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New infrastructure|ret||ret||tab|

Lurvey and Ballard both have developments taking shape in the northeast area of Nixa.|ret||ret||tab|

"I would say 80 percent of the construction in Nixa is going to be in the northeast quadrant of the city because of the work they're doing on the sewer," Ballard said. |ret||ret||tab|

Travis Cossey, Nixa city planner, said the city has invested in a regional collection system to service approximately 1,500 acres in the northeast portion of town.|ret||ret||tab|

"We had an area that was previously (not able to be developed) because there was no good way to get sewer to it without a big expense. We've helped fund a regional collection system that the city will be reimbursed for as hook-ups occur," Cossey said. |ret||ret||tab|

In addition to the new sewer system, a new community center and new elementary school have sparked development in northeast Nixa, he said.|ret||ret||tab|

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