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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Over the last three years it’s been a struggle to stay afloat for Lakeside Builders CEO Joe LaFave.

Statistics from the national commerce department state that home building permits are at an all-time low.

But those effects aren’t being felt by LaFave.

"I have a stock of prospects on my desk literally that's two inches thick,” he said. “Some of them I haven't even had time to call back yet. I've been hitting every home show in Upper Michigan...it's actually starting to be fun again."

Lakeside Builders has already begun working on eight homes so far in 2011 which is four times more than they had at this time last year.

But they aren’t alone.

Dickinson Homes is expecting a 10-15 percent growth in new homes thanks to low interest rates and good business.

"Our industry is a little bit stronger here than nationally because of the good practices that have been made in the past,” said Dickinson Homes Owner Paul Santoni. “There wasn't a lot of spec. building and over building that occurred here like in other markets."

LaFave is going as far as predicting a record breaking year for his business and is hiring new employees…something that didn't seem possible just one year ago.

"I've been building homes for 25 years and I've seen a lot of ups and downs but I have to say this last one was the worst one,” LaFave said. “I know there are a lot of people out here...that are hurting and they need some good news and I think it's finally starting to come."