The Shelby County Commission voted down Monday, May 6, a $368,372 federal-through-state grant to the county Community Services division.

The grant from the Tennessee Department of Human Services was specifically for emergency assistance with rent and mortgage payments as well as uniform and food vouchers, gas cards and bus passes for those at or below the poverty level locally.

2. Commission Votes Down Grant Funding - Wednesday, May 08, 2013

The Shelby County Commission voted down Monday, May 6, a $368,372 federal-through-state grant to the county Community Services division.

The grant from the Tennessee Department of Human Services was specifically for emergency assistance with rent and mortgage payments as well as uniform and food vouchers, gas cards and bus passes for those at or below the poverty level locally.

3. Commission Votes Down Second Amendment Gun Resolution - Tuesday, May 07, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners voted down a resolution Monday, May 6, that would have backed the idea of state legislators and county sheriffs across the state “nullifying” federal gun control laws they consider unconstitutional.

4. Council Tackles Budget, Tax Rate - Tuesday, May 07, 2013

Memphis City Council members take their first steps Tuesday, May 7, toward approving a city operating budget and property tax rate for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The council meets at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall, 125 N. Main St.

5. Commission Receives Schools Financials - Monday, May 06, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners formally get the financials of Shelby County’s two public school systems Monday, May 6, in an action that is not expected to generate much debate.

But the financial statements for the fiscal year that ended June 30 is another step along the path toward the formal merger of both school systems effective at the end of the current fiscal year.

6. Market Stability - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Home permit activity held stable for the first quarter of this year compared with the same period last year, and local builders expect to see continued gradual improvement through this year and into next.

7. Shelby Home Permits Stagnate, Sales Decrease - Wednesday, March 13, 2013

New home permits were flat in February compared to the same month last year. 

Shelby County homebuilders filed 70 permits in February averaging 3,142 square feet and $222,975, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com. That compared to 72 permits filed in February 2012, averaging 3,520 square feet and $294,109.

8. Cost Increase - Tuesday, February 12, 2013

New housing permits were unchanged in January year over year, but pricing saw a healthy increase.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 50 permits last month, the same amount filed in January 2012, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

9. Permits Improve 24 Percent in December - Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Keeping in line with 2012’s trends, homebuilding activity in December saw a healthy increase from the same month in 2011.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 51 permits during December 2012, a 24.4 percent increase from the 41 in December 2011, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

10. New-Home Permits Jump 37 Percent in Quarter - Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Local homebuilders saw a 37 percent increase in filed permits in the fourth quarter year over year.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 202 permits during the final quarter of 2012, compared to 147 in Q4 2011, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

11. Solid Foundation - Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Local homebuilders filed 26 percent more permits in 2012 than 2011, the culmination of a dramatic change in the market that began last May.

Shelby County saw 884 permits filed in 2012, up from 700 in 2011, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com. Overall, sales of new houses in 2012 were basically unchanged with 774 new home sales recorded for the year compared to 781 recorded in 2011.

12. Builder Permits Rise 10 Percent in November - Monday, December 24, 2012

The National Association of Homebuilders said Tuesday, Dec. 18, that sentiment across the homebuilding industry rose to its highest level since the middle of 2006.

National housing permits in November posted a 26.8 percent increase from November 2011. And while they’re not up quite that much, local starts are seeing increases as well.

13. Permits Up 89 Percent in October - Thursday, November 29, 2012

Local homebuilders filed 89 percent more new home permits during October compared to October of last year.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 83 permits last month, a healthy boost from the 44 filed during October 2011, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com. October permits also posted a 6 percent increase from the 78 permits filed during September.

14. Highpoint Church Buys Briarcrest’s East Memphis Campus - Friday, November 09, 2012

After seven years of leasing space for its worship services, Highpoint Church has acquired Briarcrest Christian School Systems Inc.’s property at 6000 Briarcrest Ave. for $7.25 million.

15. Building Permits Remain Steady in September - Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Shelby County homebuilders in September filed 78 permits averaging 3,374 square feet and $263,645, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

16. Building Permits Show Little Change - Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Local homebuilders didn’t change much the amount of new home permits they filed during the third quarter compared with the same period last year.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 218 permits during the quarter (July to September), compared with 216 filed during the same period in 2011, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com. Third-quarter permits marked a 12 percent drop from the 249 permits filed during the second quarter of this year.

17. June Permits Up 45 Pct. - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Last month proved to be a positive one for local homebuilding activity, with a 45 percent increase year over year in new home permits.

Shelby County homebuilders in June filed 81 permits averaging 3,154 square feet and $233,996, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

18. Active Builders - Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Local homebuilders filed 54 percent more new home permits during the second quarter compared with the same period last year.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 247 permits during the quarter (April to June), compared with 160 filed during Q2 2011, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

19. Homebuilding Permits Rise During May - Wednesday, June 13, 2012

May’s new home permit totals saw a significant upswing year over year, and homebuilders attribute the improvement to low inventory levels and low interest rates.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 91 permits in May – a 78 percent increase from the 51 filed during May 2011 – according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

20. ‘New Enthusiasm’ Yields Permit Rise - Monday, May 14, 2012

While new-home sales remain low, average new-home sales prices are increasing, along with the number of permits and permit amounts.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 75 permits in April – up 36 percent from the 55 filed during April 2011 – according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

21. March Permits Improve 47 Pct. - Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Last month proved to be a positive one for local homebuilding activity, with a 47 percent increase year over year in new home permits.

Shelby County homebuilders in March filed 75 permits averaging 3,224 square feet and $243,143, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

22. Gaining Steam - Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Local homebuilders filed 20 percent more new home permits during the first quarter compared with the same period last year, but industry experts say the market won’t see significant recovery until next year.

23. Housing Market Slowly Improving - Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Memphis last month was named as one of 29 metropolitan areas to be included on the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index, which is now nearing 100 cities.

The index identifies metro areas that have shown improvement from their respective troughs in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months. Other notable new entrants to the list in February were Miami; Boston; Detroit; Kansas City, Mo.; Portland, Ore.; and Salt Lake City.

24. New Home Permits Climb 29 Pct. - Tuesday, February 14, 2012

New home construction was up 28.9 percent last month, and local industry professionals hope the trend continues into spring.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 49 permits in January compared to 38 the same month a year ago, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

25. Real Estate Pros Figuring Out New Reality - Monday, January 30, 2012

The real estate market isn’t projected to get back to the pre-bubble bursting days of 2007 anytime soon.

It’s part of the new reality that agents across the board are coping with, and it was the heart of the discussion Thursday, Jan. 26, when real estate information company Chandler Reports hosted its “Master Your Market: 4th Quarter 2011 Update.”

26. December Permits See Small Increase - Wednesday, January 18, 2012

December’s permit totals notched an increase year over year, albeit a small one.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 38 permits in December, a 5 percent increase from December 2010’s 36, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

27. Permits Rise 60 Pct. in Q4 - Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Local homebuilders filed 60 percent more new home permits during the fourth quarter compared with the same period last year, but as with 2011’s overall total, there were several underlying factors that created artificially high year-over-year totals.

28. Permits Remain Flat in 2011 - Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Last year’s new home permits filed by local homebuilders were unchanged from the year prior, and inventory continued to deplete due to lack of demand.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 742 permits during 2011, compared to 740 in 2010, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

29. Lamar Crossing Apts. Changes Owners Again - Monday, January 02, 2012

2881 Lamar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38114
Loan Amount: $3.5 million

Loan Date: Oct. 7, 2011
Maturity Date: n/a
Borrower: Lamar Apartments LP
Lender: Nessko TN LLC

30. Permit Increase Implies ‘False Hope’ - Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Local homebuilders filed 75 percent more new home permits during November compared to the same month last year, but there are several underlying factors in those artificially high year-over-year totals.

31. Home Permits Up 91 Percent In October - Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Local homebuilders filed 91 percent more new home permits during October compared with the same month last year, thanks to an out-of-town builder’s work in a Whitehaven subdivision.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 107 permits last month, up significantly from 56 in October 2010, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

32. Builders File 70 Permits in September - Wednesday, October 12, 2011

September’s permit totals notched a double-digit increase year over year, much like the performance seen during the third quarter.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 70 permits in September, a 27 percent leap from September 2010’s 55, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

33. Home Starts Jump 20 Percent - Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Local homebuilders filed 20 percent more new home permits during the third quarter compared to last year, giving 2011 its best quarter so far, but experts say there are still obstacles on the horizon.

34. Rolling Meadows Lots Sell for $1.4 Million - Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Germantown-based Regency Homebuilders LLC has bought 49 lots in Rolling Meadows Planned Development phase two in Collierville from BancorpSouth Bank for $1.4 million. The purchase was financed with a $1 million loan through BancorpSouth Bank that matures in October 2013.

35. Building Momentum - Thursday, September 15, 2011

Local homebuilders were busy in August, filing more permits than the same month a year ago.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 73 permits last month, a 21.7 percent increase from 60 filed in August 2010 and a 19.7 percent increase from 61 filed in July, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

36. New-Home Permits Improve 12 Percent - Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Local homebuilder permits saw a healthy bump last month, and industry experts said the rest of year looks promising as well.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 61 permits in July, an 11.7 percent increase from 55 filed the same month a year ago and a 35.5 percent increase from 45 filed in June, according to the real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

37. ‘Worse and Worse’ - Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Local homebuilders filed 35 percent fewer new home permits for the second quarter compared to last year, and experts say there’s a ways to go before signs of recovery emerge.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 142 permits during Q2 (April to June), down from 220 in Q2 2010, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

38. Permits Dip 21 Percent in May - Friday, June 10, 2011

While local homebuilders filed fewer permits in May than they did during the same month a year ago, average sales price – of both pulled permits and builder new-home sales – saw a significant leap.

39. Builder Struggles Continue Into Spring - Tuesday, May 10, 2011

As permits decline and construction costs rise, local builders urge prospective buyers to act now before the price of new homes continues to climb.

Shelby County builders filed 46 new home permits in April, a 58 percent decrease from 111 permits in April 2010, according to the latest data from real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

40. March Permits Down Half From Last Year - Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Shelby County builders filed 51 new home permits last month, a 51 percent decrease from 104 permits in March 2010 – a dip they attributed to the now-expired homebuyers tax credit.

“Us being down isn’t really a story, it was last year being up was the story because of the tax credit,” said Sean Carlson, principal with Regency Homebuilders LLC. “If the tax credit wasn’t there, there wouldn’t be those jumps in numbers.”

41. Q1 Permits Slip 29 Percent - Tuesday, April 12, 2011

For the first time in recent history, homebuilder sales didn’t exceed starts in the first quarter, a sign that demand has caught up with supply.

But both numbers – sales and starts – decreased from the same period a year ago, halting the notion that housing recovery is imminent.

42. Homebuilding Points to Improvement - Friday, March 18, 2011

Shelby County builders filed 70 permits last month – a 16.7 percent increase from 60 permits in February 2010 – a sign that the market may be able to salvage a decent first quarter.

February’s activity also marked a 191.7 percent leap from January’s showing with 24 permits and an 89.2 percent uptick from December’s 37, according to the latest data from real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

43. Foreign Investors Buy Treasure Park Apartments - Tuesday, February 15, 2011

2601 N. Watkins St.
Memphis, TN 38127
First Sale: $1.1 million

Sale Date: Jan. 31, 2011
Buyer: City National Bank
Seller: Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. as receiver for Imperial Capital Bank of La Jolla, Calif.
Second Sale: $450,000
Sale Date: Jan. 28, 2011
Buyer: Square Mile Investments LLC
Seller: City National Bank
Details: A foreign investment group named Square Mile Investments LLC has bought Treasure Park Apartments at 2601 N. Watkins St. in Frayser from City National Bank for $450,000.
Details: A foreign investment group named Square Mile Investments LLC has bought Treasure Park Apartments at 2601 N. Watkins St. in Frayser from City National Bank for $450,000.

44. Building Blocks - Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Shelby County builders filed 681 new home permits last year, a 13.8 percent increase from 587 permits in 2009 according to the latest data from real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

45. Monthly Building Dips, But 2010 Numbers Up - Thursday, December 16, 2010

While the holidays typically slow down the pace of building new homes, November’s permits took a bigger hit than usual as the industry continues to work through the recession.

Shelby County homebuilders filed 38 permits last month, a 34.5 percent decrease from 58 permits the same month a year ago, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

46. YMCA Buys Former Cordova Athletic Club - Tuesday, December 07, 2010

7950 Club Center Drive
Cordova, TN 38018
Sale Amount: $2 million

Sale Date: Dec. 1, 2010
Buyer: YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South
Seller: Cordova AC LLC
Loan Amount: $4.7 million
Loan Date: Dec. 1, 2010
Maturity Date: n/a
Lender: Regions Bank and Regions Equipment Finance Corp. (together, the beneficiary)

47. Adding Value - Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Many of the Mid-South’s most successful homebuilders are weathering the slowdown in home sales across the region by getting creative to lower prices and attract potential buyers.

Sales have been down across the area, and with the traditionally slower winter sales months ahead savvy builders are looking to tweak their product to meet market demands.

48. Building Permits Hold Steady - Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Shelby County homebuilders filed 49 permits last month, a 2 percent increase over the same period a year ago, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports.

But that marked 2 percent decrease from the 50 permits filed in September and an 11 percent decrease from 55 permits filed in August. Homebuilders filed 48 permits in October 2009.

49. Builders Hoping for Market Turnaround - Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Local homebuilders matched the number of new-home permits for the third quarter compared to last year, but the recent data indicates the market is facing a doubled-edged sword.

Homebuilders filed 151 permits in Shelby County during Q3 (July 1 to Sept. 30), just one permit shy from 152 permits the same quarter last year, according to real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com. New homes during Q3 averaged 3,010 square feet and $207,216 in value.

50. Homebuilding Shows Slight Improvement - Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Memphis area homebuilders agree that business is looking up, but they also agree that a complete recovery will be slow in coming.

Local builders filed 725 permits between September 2009 and August 2010, according to the latest data from real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

51. Regency Buys 151 Lots in Eight Subdivisions - Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Regency Homebuilders LLC has spent $1.9 million on 151 lots in eight subdivisions, buying the vacant parcels in a special warranty deed from First Tennessee Bank NA.

52. Permit Numbers Good News for Homebuilders - Wednesday, July 14, 2010

The success of the Vesta Designer Home Showcase, which ended earlier this month, can be measured in the number of tickets sold – 13,600.

And the show, featuring custom-designed residences in Germantown’s Neshoba Grove Subdivision, can be measured in the number of homes that sold – five.

53. Rebounding Activity - Monday, May 17, 2010

Shelby County homebuilders last month reached triple digits with new home permits for the first time in nearly two years.

But instead of congratulating themselves for the increase in activity, companies are focused now on maintaining momentum and further pulling themselves out of the biggest homebuilding slump in recent memory.

54. Homebuilding Permits Up in Q1 - Wednesday, April 14, 2010

New home permits in the first quarter rose for the fifth-straight period, further solidifying hopes of a full-scale housing recovery

Shelby County builders filed 175 permits in the first quarter, an 80.4 percent increase from 97 during the same period in 2009 and a 2.3 percent increase from 171 permits in the fourth quarter of last year, according to the latest figures from real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

55. Residential Building Sees Uptick in February - Friday, March 12, 2010

No other industry has been clamoring for spring more than homebuilders.

The horrid weather to start the year has prevented some companies from starting every home they hoped to get into the ground, so the recent rise in mercury has also raised their spirits.

56. Poor January Home Starts Blamed on Inclement Weather - Tuesday, February 16, 2010

January’s foul weather wreaked havoc on homebuilders, as the barrage of snow, ice and cold temperatures severely limited the ability to start homes.

Shelby County builders filed just 36 new home permits last month, half of December’s 72, but a slight increase from the January 2009 total of 31, according to the latest data from real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

57. Q4 Permits Show Improvements - Wednesday, January 13, 2010

A familiar trend in the housing industry played out during fourth quarter 2009. Like what happened with home sales and mortgages, building permits enjoyed a rare improvement as the year drew to a close.

58. ’09 Building Permits Tell Scary Tale - Wednesday, January 13, 2010

For anyone who thought the homebuilding numbers couldn’t get worse than they did in 2008, that year looks like a housing boom compared to 2009.

Shelby County builders filed just 529 new home permits last year, a 43.7 percent decline from 940 permits in 2008 and a staggering 80 percent decline from 2,643 permits in 2007, according to the latest data from real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

59. Residential Building Heats Up in November - Friday, December 11, 2009

Arlington is back in the news, although this time it has nothing to do with Mayor Russell Wiseman posting remarks on his Facebook page about President Obama and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” television special.

60. Housing Slump Makes Self Known In October - Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Shelby County homebuilders continue to feel the brunt of the housing slowdown, as October saw builder sales plummet and housing starts reach a seven-month low.

Homebuilders filed just 38 permits for new homes last month, the worst period for starts since the March total of 30. That marked a 9.5 percent decline from 42 starts in October 2008 and a 33.3 percent decline from 57 starts in September, according to the latest from real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

61. Homebuilders Work Toward Much Greener Mentality - Tuesday, October 20, 2009

A Memphis company last week forged an important milestone for the sustainable building movement when the National Association of Home Builders certified the 500th home in the U.S. through the organization’s National Green Building Program.

62. More Building Permits Bode Well for Housing Market - Wednesday, October 14, 2009

For the second straight quarter, homebuilders pulled more permits than the previous period, perhaps signaling the beginning of the end for the housing crisis.

Builders started 144 homes during Q3 (July through September), according to the latest data from Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com. That marked a 47.3 percent drop from 273 starts in Q3 2008, but it also marked a slight improvement over 141 permits made during the second quarter of 2009.

63. Local Homebuilding Numbers Still Depressed - Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Shelby County homebuilders continue chipping away at inventory by selling more homes than they start, but the industry remains mired in a slump as new home sales and permits hover at record lows.

Homebuilders sold 53 homes in Shelby County in July, a 57.9 percent dip from 126 homes sold in July 2008 and a 34.6 percent dip from 81 homes sold in June, according to the latest data from real estate information company Chandler Reports, www.chandlerreports.com.

64. Collier Lincoln Mercury Dealership Sold Back to Bank - Tuesday, June 02, 2009

2177 Covington Pike
Memphis, TN 38128
Sale Amount: $2.5 Million

Sale Date: May 22, 2009
Buyer: First Tennessee Bank NA
Seller: LaToya L. Williams, substitute trustee

65. Regency Homebuilders Files Loan for Six Homes - Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Regency Homebuilders LLC has filed a $1.2 million construction loan through Triumph Bank to build homes on six lots in three subdivisions. The loan, dated May 20, shows the Cordova-based homebuilder will bring three homes to the Villages at White Oak, two homes to Franklin Farms and one home to Maple Grove.

66. Maple Grove Development Emerges as Safe Bet for Builders - Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Construction loans are few and far between these days as builders cope with the housing downturn by financing – and therefore starting – fewer homes.

But some companies are finding ways to buck that trend by targeting the right developments. McLemore Homes LLC, for example, recently took out a $1 million construction loan from Magna Bank to build homes on five lots in Maple Grove planned development Phase II in Arlington, according to The Daily News Online, www.memphisdailynews.com.

67. Regency to Bring Homes To Two Area Subdivisions - Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Arlington-based Regency Homebuilders LLC has bought lots and filed construction loans totaling close to $1 million for homes in the Stonebriar subdivision in Southeast Memphis and the Maple Grove subdivision in Arlington, adding to the company’s presence in those neighborhoods.

68. White Oak's Developers To Showcase New Homes - Tuesday, April 01, 2008

The Villages at White Oak in Arlington is unveiling five model homes to give visitors to Shelby County's newest subdivision something to see and feel.

Scheduled for later this month, the open house marks a major milestone for the $24 million, 326-acre, 700-home development just north of Interstate 40 near the Shelby-Fayette county line, said White Oak development coordinator Tommy White.