The construction industry and home sales return to growth after a period of economic slowdown.

Market data are encouraging. During the first quarter increased by 5% the number of square feet for a residential building.

In the case of credit, the banking system increased by 6.3% borrowed money, to January.

In total, placed $ 4,460 million in loans for house purchase.

The fastest growing sector in the last three years, the condos and apartments are mainly to groups with high average purchasing power and high.

Only in 2010, the National Institute of Statistics and Census reported a 40% increase in the number of occupied dwellings of this type, to exceed 60 thousand.

These results are not passengers. The projections portend better times for the industry.

The reason is that the country has a housing deficit that will reach to 212 thousand units in 2015.

Housing bonds, led to the lower strata of the population, represent only 7%. 80% of future acquisitions, estimates the Ministry of Housing, would be covered by loans, boosting the market for $ 6,700 million. This amount means more than 170 thousand credit operations.

In the case of state housing subsidy in the next four years, the investment would be $ 230 million. Nearly 16 thousand families would benefit from homeownership, through this system.

The credit supply growth coupled with government investment are key drivers of recovery for the sector.

State commercial banks are primarily responsible for the improvement, the implementation of new financial products.

The attraction for winning customers is that the rate for loans currently average about 10%. In the case of private institutions is around 18%.

The projected public entities to provide, in 2011 nearly $ 800 million. Much of this money will be given to middle and upper middle classes.

The developers confirm the upturn in the sector. The pre-project is more dynamic and expansion plans continue.

"The housing loans have improved because the banks are more dynamic, offering lower rates and customers are more willing to buy," says Alejandra Baeza, Commercial and Sales Manager New Era Building Group.

The Central Valley has the largest number of developments. The Association of Engineers and Architects reports more dynamic during the first quarter in San José, Alajuela and Heredia.

Costa Rica Homes exemplifies these characteristics. In the capital, is developing two apartment towers, a condominium and an office building. While in the other two sites is with developments.

"The country is in urgent need of measures to help people of low and middle income would have a home," emphasizes Diana Escobar, business manager of the company. It is precisely this niche to which, from a year ago, plans to meet Cementos Mexicanos (Cemex).

This business model aims to reduce homelessness in the country, it uses a structure of concrete forms of low cost.

This method allows you to have a house built in four days. The firm built with this methodology, the project's Country, in Carthage, which has government backing.

Cemex has invested in these developments $ 140 million in Latin America. The company rejects the belief that the lower classes lack the resources to buy house. "A person seeking a social housing, they find a price ranging between $ 25 billion and $ 30 billion and other $ 120 mil. Families are in a difficult position, "explains Maria Jose Velasquez, manager of Cemex Central accommodation.

In Salvadoran soil has houses from $ 15 billion, aimed at families with monthly incomes of $ 365.

For the middle class is leaving the housing market from $ 65 billion. For now, the company does not anticipate this type of work in the country.

Sector companies agree that the domestic market is to diversify the products. With this measure, not only revive the business of brick, but that will allow thousands of middle-income families access housing solutions.

Adapted from 'La Republica' Under Construction