BUSINESS The Castlegar Sun WEDNESD, October Real estate market slows TRENT BANCARZ | Sun Editor Castlegar’s real estate market since summer,” said Derek Sherbinin, manager of RHC Real- ty’s Castlegar office. “July and August were busy and a lot of that mainland. Lifestyle is the biggest reason. Younger people want to raise their families here, while older people want a slower pace.” Sherbinin adds some of the slowdown is seasonal and market activity normally tapers off in late fall, “A lot of people don't want to be moving at Christmas time,” he said. Barry Brown, owner of NRS Mountainview Agencies, agrees residential activity is less than the “In general things are a bit slower. We've been through the good times (with the Celgar expansion) and now it’s levelling off. We're also not secing as much. demand from people mov- ing in from the coast. I want to Stay positive. The market is sta- ble and it's still a good market to buy in.” Jordan Watson, co-owner of Countrywide Southcentre Realty, says the market has been much slower during the past two months. In fact, 1995 has been one of the poorer years for volume during the past three. And the slowing activity is causing prices to fall. “We're seeing $8,000-$35,000 drops between asking prices and selling prices,” she said. “People are viewing homes two or three times before making an offer and they're offering less. “It's a buyer's market. A realtor has to work smart and hard to make a go of it.” Watson adds recent rapid eco- summer months, but ial activity is still brisk. “Each sector is doing its own thing,” said Brown. “The com- mercial is moving much more than residential. There’s a lot of demand for commercial property right now. nomic “greatly inflat- ed” house prices the past year and a half. Growth has slowed and the prices are starting to come down as a result. “The expansion inflated everything,” she said. “We have to get back to reality. ‘Properties KOOTENAY OPTOMETRY CLINIC Dr. Tim Allen* ¢ Dr. Brent Allen 1458 Columbia Avenue Castlegar, B.C. ANNOUNCES A CHANGE IN OFFICE HOURS Telephone: 365-2220 *Denotes Optometric Corporation Canada’s Alpine City other form of non-profit housing. Multi-Family Development Site For Sale or Lease by Proposal Call - Rossiand, BC The City of Rosstand invites proposals for the development of a unique tmutti-family residential site located in downtown Rossiand. The City's main objective for making the site available for development is to provide affordable housing geared to Rossiand seniors. The site can accommo- have to be priced properly or they don't sell.” Sherbinin shares that view. He said properties priced right are selling, while “those cdholding out for the top buck are staying on the market.” Brown says residential prices have levelled off, while commer- cial prices have edged slightly upward. i “Vacant land, for both residen- tial and commercial, is slightly up, too,” he said. “If the expansion of he dam goes ahead, I suspect all © prices will be going back up.” opment will go. Dig It - A worker digs up the vacant lot off Columbia Avenue where a shopping and condominium devel- SUN STAFF PHOTO Trent Bancarz Gate about 24 units and is very well located for this type of housing. The City is willing to consider proposals to purchase the site for condo- ‘Mminium development or proposals to lease the site for co-op or some There is a package available at no charge that provides information about the City’s objectives and outlines the required content of proposals. For more information or to obtain a package, please contact: Ms. Leslie Cramp Coriolis Consulting Corp. 1505-1130 West Pender Street Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4 Tel. (604) 682-9714 Fax (604) 682-4193 The deadline of receipt of proposais is 31 January 1996. urday afternoon. 'Castlegar's Newest Development Needs a Name! ! Snack Man - Reg Pearson of the Lions Club serves up popcorn during ihe Columbia Plaza opening Sat- ‘SUN STAFF PHOTO Trent Bancarz " Look at the artists drawings on the outside back page of the special Castlegar Revite supplement in H today’s paper. Choose a name that suits the development - one for the condo, one for the plaza. Write 1 the names on the entry form and drop off or mail the entry form to: The Castlegar Sun 465 Columbia 1 Ave. Castlegar BC VIN 1G8 BY NOVEMBER 1 Entry Form (please print) Winner of the Condo Name will win $300, runner-up $100 -Winner of the Plaza name will win $300, runner-up $100 secson scien lin the event that there is more than one Name: Address: Phone: The possible purchase of Mutual Funds is t00 serious @ business not to discuss them thoroughly with someone who fully understands them ‘Their purchase should be discussed com pletely and confidentially in a business eS dia chad ellice duct EET Condo Name: ‘entry for the winning name(s) a random 1 draw from the winning name entries will be I made by the developer. ! Watch for the Nov 8 issue of The Castlegar j Sun for the winner and winning name! Lee Plaza Name: ‘ We give good, professional, unbiased advice. Advice you can trust Burt Campbell’s PN CNGers Wayne Miller + Bill Wenman + Burt Campbell 365-4980 + 1-800-897-0807 City Contre Square, Castlegar eee | Glance Grand Opening '" Li Uniglobe Travel - Mayor Mike O'Connor, centre, officially opens Uniglobe Travel, flanked by owners Connie and Ed Motz. Thought for the week Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your mind off your goals. Construction starting The developers of the former forest in downtown Castlegar have started levelling the property in prep for their i and residential development. A copy of the artist's rendering will be at the Portugese Hall today, October 25 for people to look at. Best of Castlegar Who is the best in Castlegar? You, The Castlegar Sun reader, can decide. Each week for the next few weeks The Castlegar Sun is running a contest for you to tell us who is the best. Who's the best hairdresser? food server? grocery store? who has the best food? who has the best service? and more! Fill out the ballot found elsewhere in today’s paper and bring or mail it in to The Castlegar Sun. No photocopies, only original ballots are accepted. A random draw from all entries will be made for one of three great prizes. Enter soon! Enter often! Time Change . This Sunday, October 29 at 2 am is the official end of daylight sav- ings time. It’s time to tum your clock back one hour. Let the sunshine in! Dan Bosse of Castlegar recently installed a Sun Lite skylight in the Ministry of Forests building in Nelson. Now the foresters can see daylight! One year to go BC Tel is reminding everyone that there is only one year to go before our area code changes to area code 250. The change affects all communities east of Hope and north of Powell River. Busi- ness Owners who are having stationery printed should remember that next October. the area code changes to 250 and that area code should be reflected on business cards, letterhead etc. Kid’s and Hallowe'en Dairy Queen will be having « special night for kids on Hallowe'en. Old-fashioned bobbing for apples, a free hot chocolate with the purchase of a hot dog etc. Hallowe'en is next Tuesday. Are you ready with treats? New phone books The new BC Tel phone books will be out shortly. If you're won- dering what to do with the old ones, the Grade 6 dass from Kin- naird El 'y school is i the of the old ones. They are asking one person from each business be the collec- tor for that business and then call Ron Heuer at Kinnaird Ele- mentary BEFORE November 10 to have the books picked up. Open late Sears and the Dollar Store in downtown Castlegar are now open til 9 pm Fridays for your shopping convenience. Name that development The developers of the former forest in downtown Castlegar are looking for a name for their development. Take a look at the back page of the Revitalizati PP i in today's paper and see what they have planned for the site. Then find the entry form contained elsewhere in today’s paper and submit your ideas for a name to The Castlegar Sun. The developer is offering great cash prizes. Enter as often as you wish. The developer will announce the winning name (if there is more than one entry with the winning name a random draw from the winning name entries will be made) in the Nov. 8 issue. Planning begins The Castlegar Festival Society’s Sunfest Committee is starting | preparations for next June's Sunfest. Sunfest and other special events do have an impact on the economy of our community and the committee is hoping that more businesses will lend their sup- port to this event. Contact Nancy Trotman care of Artistic Aro- mas for more information. Clear view Have you noticed that when you enter downtown from the south | end you have a clear, d view of the ins and sky? | No more thick black cable and old brown deteriorating power and | j phone poles to interfere with the magnificent view! Pub in the works Pat Rilcof of Gardeli’s Restaurant in the Columbia Plaza has { received his approval from the LCBC to operate a neighbourhood pub inthe plaza, beside his restaurant. Next step is a public hearing in Castlegar in late November. Last call Get your pictures in before Oct. 30 for the Winter Wishes Sum- mer Dreams contest. All entries from last winter and this past summer are eligible for the grand Prize of a trip for two anywhere Canadian Regional flies! More details available at The Castlegar Sun office On the move Daren Sanders, the former Field Production Wednesday, October 25, 1995 The Castlegar Sun Page B3 Call an election before any more money is spent TROY LANIGAN For The Sun Mr, Premier, please call an election. Any more pre-election spending announcements and our provincial debt will be larger than the federal government's! Rib- bons and scissors are quickly becoming the province's major gtowth industries. The Official Opposition has rdleased a detailed list of spend- ing announcements since June | ahd come up with a total of $6 billion. The government's will- ingness to hand out tax dollars as no bounds: $800,000 for a eritage tailway, $15,000 for a tateboard park and $5,000 for a layhouse and sandbox. And who's playing in that box? Why, non other than Glen lark. As Minister of Employ- it and Investment, Mr. Clark rsees billions in infrastructure and capital spending not to men- . tion millions more grants, In his sandbox are boats, roads, trains and buses (light- houses?). Premier Harcourt and Finance Minister Cull are like the parents who can't say no, When Glen says his boats are too, slow he gets high speed catamarans. When Glen says his trains are too slow he gets bullet trains. High speed catamarans, bullet trains...What next? Space ships? Don't be surprised if the gov- emment announces the Mission to Mars Light Space Transit System. While many of these infrgstruc- ture and capital projects may be worthwhile, it does not follow government has to provide them. In other words, open the door and encourage the private sector to finance and assume the risk asso- ciated with bullet trains and cata- marans. If the private sector is not willing to do so, why should tax- payers be put on the hook? And why should people who will never in various MoE Foul Fling - One of the Foul Fling competitors rolls Keenleyside Dam has transfered with BC Hyde & office in Vancouver. No replacement has boon nanad the cornish "rock" hen down the tarp to knock down the pins, made of pop bottles, half-filled with water. It was all part of the fun at Columbia Plaza's Fall Extrav- aganza Saturday afternoon. SUN STAFF PHOTO Marlyn Strong “LOOK AGAIN” Because many local businesses have week-end specials and events...check your ds Work Small Small ads on a regular basis bring top of the mind awareness to your customers. 465 Columbia Wednesday, Sun again before you head out on your shopping trip. A perfect way to remind you where the savings are. Your Sun You'll enjoy a second look. Saving. fel Frultvale’s Yvonne age has started a new noe called ees and ton jpotos and manorabiia teh longevity and esthetic appeal i mind. oevey IDEAL FOR CHRISTMAS For More Information Call 367-9632 use these services be forced to pay for them through their taxes? In so many other areas the gov emment must simply say the diny ure I say i? NO, Her- itage railways, skateboard parks and sandboxes have no business being funded by provincial tax- payers. Period. For starters, we can't afford it. But more impor- tantly, we establish false expecta- tions that Victoria can fund just about anything. Case in point is an article appearing in the Aug 20 issue of the Cariboo Observer in which a smiling Cariboo North MLA Frank Garden hands over $15,000 for-the “revitalization” of a pub! No small hangover for tax- payers. There was a time when the pol- itics of pork barrel spending was popular. The Socreds were mas- terful at announcing major spend- ing initiatives on the eve of a provincial election call And the public bought it But we're faced with a much Have Your Say!! See Oct. 25 Castlegar Sun different reality today The wisdom of beyond our means for so many years has nearly paralyzed severstl provincial governments in a seu of red ink and is doing the samy to our federal government where taxpayers cough up $137 million a day just to pay interest on our federal debt.. Increasing taxes to keep pace has only resulted in ‘decreasing disposable incomes spending ind a lower standiird of living In British Colurmbia, we're bet ter off then most, But the current course we're Charting is alarming Our debt has gone from $20 bil lions in 1992 10 an estimated $28 billion in 1996, not including nearly $4 billions in unfunded pension liabilities. Second only to Ontario, British Columbia's debt is the fastest growing of all juris: dictions in the country. Recent provincial elections clearly show that politicians and parties promising the least, get the most. The most votes that is, And if the current government hopes to get re-elected, it would be well advised to get out of thé pub and the sandbox, and get into reality. “Let's Talk Taxes” is a feature service of the British Columbia Taxpayers Association. Castlegar KOOTENAY BROADCASTING SYSTEM 95.7 FM Paige MacFarlane... KBS news director. 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