2005 has been a record-setting year for both new and existing home sales, even though the year is not yet complete. Oklahoma City, Edmond, Midwest City, Moore and Norman issued more single-family building permits through November than in all of 2005, a recent survey showed. That makes 2005 another record year for new home sales - the third in a row.

Even though new home builders have been confident all year, the stamina of the marketplace has come as a surprise, said Darren Faires, President of the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association. Despite the record growth, Faires says "Nobody has excess inventory." He credits the still relatively low interest rates as the main fuel behind the housing boom.

The sale of existing homes remained strong too, according to the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors. November 2005 new home sales were up 8.5% compared to 2004, which was the previous record year.