B.C. STATISTICS Housing starts jumped last season HOUSING STARTS were up in August over the previous month according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. August's data did not show any negative effects from recent mortgage rate increasus. August starts were 2,846 units, up from 2,622 units in July. On a seasonally ad- justed basis, starts were up to 2,550 units from 2,397 units, All of August’s gain was in multiple starts. Multiple starts were 1,345 units up from 1,114 last month, while singie detached starts were down slightly. The largest gain for this month was in Victoria. Starts were 382 units com- pared to 151 units in July. Another large gain was in Kelowna with starts rising to 262 units from 205 units. Kelowna’s starts were high for the second consecutive month, while Victoria’s starts were a rebound from low levels in two previous months. Compared to the same month last year, starts were lower in urban B.C. Actual starts were down 12 per cent from fast August’s 3,222 units, which was the mon- thly high in 1987. Cumulative starts were Club. Live Royally on 11 acres of gorgeous | With your special needs in mind, security, privacy and an active lifestyle Crown Point has created spaciously planned homes and topped it off with a 3000 sq.ft. resort style entertainment centre. Your home has the size and extra‘s you want. From the private courtyard entry to the luxurious master en suite and the gourmet kitchen. Three elegant furnished models for you to view. Located in the heart of the Abbotsford, Matsqui area, minutes from the freeway and close to many churches, tennis courts, swimming pool, curling club, library, M.S.A. Hospital and 3 major shopping centres (Eaton’s and Woodward's) and for you golfers, only 5 minutes from Ledgeview Golf & Country Susan Shannon (604) 852-3188 about the same as last year in the first eight months. This year 18,077 units started in urban B.C., com- pared to 18,315 units last year. B.C. is out-performing the national trend. Year-to-date starts in urban Canada for August were down 15 per cent this year compared to | per cent in urban B.C. This pattern is expected to con- tinue. Total starts in B.C. are forecast to exceed last year’s total while fewer starts are forecast for Canada. Starts during August con- tinued at a strong pace despite higher mortgage rates. One factor was the lag between higher rates and fewer starts which implies fewer starts later in the year. Starts have been building upward momentum — since March. Another factor is market absorption, inven- tory, and prices trends are still favorable. August data are positive signs. Until these turn nega- tive, building will continue at a good pace, August single detached starts were down slightly from July. A decline usually occurs in August. Starts for September were forecast to be lower duc to the seasonal pattern. Single detached starts were 1,501 units this month com- pared to 1,508 units in August and to 1,439 units last August. August’s decline over July is the typical per- formance over the years. Starts went up in some centres contrary to the pro- vincial trend, Seasonally adjusted starts were 1,351 units, down marginally from July's 1,375 units. This decline could be signalling a trend change but it is too weak to determine for certain. A trend change is not ex- pected for several months. Year-to-date starts are 9,887 units which is about the same as last year’s 9,814 units. While urban B.C. starts were unchanged over last year, some parts of B.C. are performing differently. Starts in the urban centres of the Okanagan, the nor- thern half of B.C., and the Kootenays were well above last year. Lower Mainland centres were about equal to last year. However, Vancouver Island centres were down 5 per cent led by Campbell River (-22 per cent) and Vic- toria (-9 per cent). September starts were forecast to be 1,380 units. This decline over August is due to the seasonal factor. Let us open the doors for you All you have to do is enjoy the carefree, maintenance free and affordable lifestyle at Crown Point Villas. ABBOTSFORD’S PREMIUM ADULT COMMUNITY in a quiet residential setting. andscaped gardens. 67 - Friday, October 28, 1988 - North Shore News @. pholo Tom Burley READY TO ride away on her prize, 11-year-old Cassie Wiialen shows off the bicycle she won in Block Bros.’s coloring contest. North Shore Block Bros. saleswoman Margery Bach gives Cassie a starting push while manager Greg Klemke holds a sample of the pic- ture contestants colored. NRS Block Bros. Realty held the nation-wide coloring contest for children up to age 13. Each branch awarded a Yicycle to its winner. National grand prizes, stil! to be announced, are two trips to Disneyland. From the 81 Jocal entries, the 10 winners chosen were Cassie Whalen, Rita Shah, Cam Knight, Lauren DeJong, Cathy Gilmour, Danny Burggraaf, Valerie Kan, Lisa Hertay, Ryan Christopher and Ashleigh Brueckler. iced from $89,500 Take the 401 to Sumas Way Off Ramp. Then follow Sumas Way (Hwy 11) to OLD CLAYBURN ROAD Oft Ramp & THERE YOU ARE!! 34899 Old Clayburn Rd. Open Daily 10-5 & evenings by appt.