Building permits in Wake County surged by 70% in March compared to the same month last year. Permits for the first three months of 2013 were up 51%, with over 1,400 permits for new residential units issued, with an average permit value of $214,000. According to the Home Builders’ Association of Raleigh-Wake County, the market has seen an 83% increase in building permit activity over the past two years. The county also issued almost 1,4000 remodeling permits in March with an average dollar value of $22,000 which is flat for the year. To see the breakdown of permits by area and read the full report visit the Triangle Business Journal.