Home construction in Allen County fell by nearly 27 percent last month while sales of existing homes climbed almost 23 percent.

Builders received permits to construct 96 houses last month, according to the Home Builders Association of Fort Wayne. In comparison, Allen County issued 131 home construction permits during December 2004.

But Realtors had a strong close to the year with 438 homes sold last month, according to the Fort Wayne Area Association of Realtors’ Multiple Listing Service. Realtors sold 357 homes in December 2004.

Existing home sales inched up 1 percent last year from 2004, according to the Multiple Listing Service. Realtors sold 5,453 houses last year, compared with 5,388 homes a year earlier.

Home construction slowed by nearly 1 percent in 2005. Allen County issued 1,751 home building permits last year, according to the Home Builders Association. In comparison, builders received 1,768 permits in 2004.
Orthopedics industry picks Grand Wayne

Fort Wayne was selected as the site for a new orthopedics manufacturing conference and expo that will feature extensive exhibitions and in-depth conference sessions on industry issues.

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