Blaine development officials are celebrating building numbers the likes of which they haven't seen in at least a decade. In August, the city issued building permits for 70 new homes. That's a roaring increase from 19 in August 2011 and a low of 16 in 2010.

"One month is only a snapshot," said Blaine's community development director, Bryan Schafer. "But obviously, there's an increased vigor in the housing market."

Blaine weathered the recession better than any other metro suburb, recently averaging 300 permits a year. This year, the city is on track to surpass 400, Schafer said.

The permits broke down to 32 attached homes and 38 single-family houses in different developments. The construction value of all those projects is $14.2 million.

Schafer cautioned that the city is running short of buildable lots; the city may see a slowdown as land for new developments is financed, purchased, zoned and platted.

Schafer credited the city's diverse housing and proximity to the core cities.