National statistics show an increase in home ownership for five consecutive quarters, and local realtors say most shoppers are interested in buying homes that need repairs.

That’s working in the favor of those developing new subdivisions in Andalusia.

The Dwelling, a new subdivision located off Antioch Road near the entrance to the Dream Park, is getting a lot of interest. Frank and Tambry Henderson are developing The Dwelling, which will feature nine homes ranging from 1,450 to 1,600 square feet, situated on quarter-acre lots.

Construction is by ABRAM Homes, with engineering by Civil Southeast Engineering.

“We sold two right out of the gate,” Jeremy McMath of Civil Southeast Engineering said, adding that three are now sold. More construction will begin in late July, he said.

“We are getting a lot of interest,” McMath said. “I would say about three people call every week, if not more.”

ABRAM Homes is a fairly new company, but since starting up in July of last year they already has contracts on a dozen houses, McMath said.

“We will start advertising a little more once the buildings are a little more complete,” McMath said.

On the opposite side of town from The Dwelling, Bellawood Homes plans to build and sell eight garden homes.

“The construction on the (first) home has been really smooth and easy,” Bobby Patel, one of the owners, said. “We are looking to be finished in two weeks.”

They will be located on the corner of East Watson Street and Stanley Avenue. They will be 1,800 square feet and will have three bedrooms and two baths.

“The demand has been really high,” Patel said. “I think the rate for home ownership has definitely gone up.”

Patel said that they will start construction on two more houses within the next coming weeks.

The garden homes will be available for purchase in the low $100,000 range.

“These houses can be customized to fit your needs as well,” Patel said.

The national statistics show young Americans are buying homes. The ownership rate for people aged 35 and under was 35.3 percent in the first quarter, which is a full percentage point higher than a year ago.

“We haven’t been in the business long,” McMath said. “But from all the houses we are getting contracts with it seems like business is booming.”