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Canada's housing market both vigorous and stable ( W7 i+ \6 v+ T1 |% }0 T
9 C0 y, [& V: A6 p8 a
- Country's market poised to show growth throughout 2006 -2 {- W2 g6 j! {# q7 r, u
) _8 Z6 d* b3 D, r
TORONTO, Sept. 28 /CNW/ - For most of Canada, the housing market( ?, r7 A* u' K
exhibited moderate price increases and stable unit sales during the third
! U3 z* j3 j4 a6 Z" Hquarter. Wide regional variances continued to be the dominant characteristic
. o3 J6 f) Y% f G0 X3 Y' Q! nin the market, exemplified by frenzied levels of activity and double digit( J* s+ @, s; p7 D4 h- c
price gains observed in the energy and commodity rich Western provinces, and
( P( t8 O) l% Jmore reasonable sales volumes and moderate price appreciation in Ontario,+ a1 W7 c& o: O
Quebec and Atlantic Canada, according to a report released today by Royal4 t5 b+ c1 c) a4 f7 N( W s
LePage Real Estate Services." U8 h, B) p5 Y% I
7 T% s% B* T) b$ q
Nationally, market trends established through the first three quarters$ z# D: ]8 J0 Z! n
are forecast to continue for the remainder of the year. Robust economic
' Q( u( k# m9 d9 y" xconditions, low unemployment rates, modestly growing salaries and wages, and7 v; c) q% n( G8 b! C
sound consumer confidence contributed to the overall strength of the" F# ]3 @. L" ~
residential real estate sector.. y- l3 f# W- Q1 h; O; m
+ P/ R; K3 x5 _& E Of the housing types surveyed, the highest average price appreciation( d# D r& u' X" b
occurred in detached bungalows, which rose to $300,365 (+16.3%)9 o! n ?9 m& w ?$ z
year-over-year, followed by standard condominiums, which rose to $211,5628 Z* \4 P6 ^( `/ ?& _
(+14.2%), and standard two-storey properties, which increased to $365,380
: K+ j5 g9 h+ D& a(+13.2%).
3 b- F& o, m8 ?( t# ^" M. k2 r% `6 c* W9 \* {
"Canada's sturdy housing market continued to demonstrate steady growth
$ h- n' u7 H# Wduring the third quarter. For all but the west, we have moved on from the6 F6 N9 X! Q2 N% _
frenzied expansion that characterized the first half of this decade, and are& J2 M+ A! L# c- n
poised to show continued growth at a more moderate pace," said Phil Soper,
1 n3 l, c0 k: j7 @6 Epresident and chief executive officer, Royal LePage Real Estate Services.; P) n4 q; y; k, q9 G. {* V
"Gone is the sellers' market that we have lived with for some years. We+ ]: S+ Q2 {, [; a: z- @
welcome the more reliable conditions that are characteristic of a healthy
8 y: m6 G7 i0 rbalanced market."" r8 r, e: H) t
8 Q e& C$ f0 t7 g p r
Despite the double-digit rise in average national house prices,
, G# G6 Y4 |7 @0 Qconsiderable regional variances were exhibited again this quarter. The shift
, N$ V% B( x% r3 |: x8 Kto balanced market conditions, which began in late 2005, has continued! d" i9 r' r, p, v; N
throughout most of the Central and Eastern regions of the country. In the core
, f7 y# q& C. {5 [- F6 @1 Oenergy producing western provinces, the combination of very high in-migration,
3 F9 e) k z: C! imanageable affordability, and a shortage of inventory has driven record
. H% J, A' v, Q# R0 abreaking price appreciations.: j/ B4 b+ t& w% C2 ]+ [; k3 {
& |8 I" P( g* S! _% f2 B# X Echoing the second quarter and supported by Alberta's rapidly expanding( j. y) K# W3 S9 @
economy, Calgary and Edmonton led the charge of Canadian cities with the& H7 R3 j- ]1 z/ r1 O# }- M
largest house price appreciation in all housing types surveyed.7 E+ {: K, ~% f& Y. z: g
& h$ ]. P5 D1 ` In Ottawa and Toronto, growth remained steady, supported by solid
, m5 \+ j" g( P+ m9 L8 W7 @economic fundamentals, an increase in available inventory and strong consumer6 A/ G4 V! z2 c
confidence. While the pace of price appreciation in Ontario leveled off
# ^; i( C3 G qslightly, the province's real estate market remains poised for modest growth.
; e$ w% I* f/ L8 ^In Atlantic Canada, new housing and condominium construction offered buyers, M, t1 F8 K1 I3 l' I" s
greater selection at more competitive prices, resulting in a slower rate of
$ i- t: A% @" r+ \& f! d8 uprice appreciation when compared with 2005.
; G+ U" b# l2 D: Q/ t2 r' ?& X7 ^9 c
While the pace of growth in Canada has slowed, the domestic housing) a* ?- n. D& H) y4 W3 y
market is expected to outperform the American market. The economic and" o' _8 M; p3 i) H; z
financial fundamentals driving the residential real estate sector in Canada) X, `, M( t8 @& s& e1 l( a
are markedly different than those found in the United States.
0 Q. l8 r/ I8 A9 c5 R6 I
" N3 {8 a" ]. u' J; t2 z ? Added Soper: "Canada's housing market is likely to outperform the& a6 z! q" L; E4 e0 T2 q
American market through 2007. A number of factors are working in Canada's
& T: J# J K5 afavour, including healthy personal and governmental debt levels, the
- s1 H& h) U; b* Jrelatively modest rise in interest rates in our country, and general
4 g# |4 |3 l b, z+ L& j9 eaffordability in our major cities. In addition, Americans are now seeing the3 T7 }; `; @, w9 D; k' W
downside of a tax system that encourages maximum homeowner leverage, and6 j8 d! O [6 [
aggressive financial products such as zero- and negative-amortization9 d B* y; N; P% [0 F* Z
mortgages that work only in a high price growth environment."$ Y- m1 j7 k/ B; e3 g
. A; ]2 Z' U* [$ J a5 ~: H <<
( Z6 j H [! q, i) t3 @ REGIONAL SUMMARIES0 Y8 T% }+ Q+ p
>>! l/ C; i( n! T0 t2 p T0 H6 Q8 a. L
9 l0 t! p7 g( p9 m# W
Balanced conditions continued to characterize the housing market in. m2 m' ^0 P) }* M! Y. s$ B
Halifax, as significantly higher inventory levels helped to moderate the rate
- z- ?7 R G; T% Qof price appreciation. Buyers were increasingly choosy, taking more time
$ m" w& d6 _* ]9 ~9 F# S9 _) elooking for newer, low-maintenance properties that were not in need of
7 x" z# j3 U2 p/ Irenovations.
3 L; m7 _& p* u- y5 R1 I' P9 [- H+ w5 R1 P5 U7 ?* P% l4 @7 p8 y3 \
The housing market in Moncton remained healthy and strong as a slight
9 |; u+ B! W" W0 T, t) Eincrease in inventory helped to moderate the rate of price appreciation
5 |" V: o. @0 v/ `4 u4 N9 n5 k: Rcompared to the same period in 2005. Activity was brisk throughout August and& p& m- f, n7 E3 w, q
September and is expected to remain this way through the fourth quarter.1 P4 X. O# y# I
! U2 d' V' _8 ^5 q3 P7 {" ]
The housing market in Saint John underwent its traditional summer
0 @1 f1 c0 ^ O% [slowdown in the third quarter, with activity picking up towards the end of the1 u w' U+ F! o6 e, G
quarter. The local economy continued to thrive, as construction on a new
* k1 w0 s' d1 B3 q/ M600,000 square-foot shopping area has begun, bringing several new box stores
4 [7 `7 W7 E, L/ o5 Sto the area. Buyers have begun seeking less expensive fixtures for their homes
* d& z1 ^0 m4 x* G. e; Z. Nand are instead opting for more affordable housing options.. l" V& V7 h# S3 L
! C$ ~9 h. R! x3 H7 |6 f+ D In Charlottetown, the housing market started to move towards balanced. Z, L- t Q! ]4 c
conditions, as some sellers had to begin to lower the asking prices on their! ~" {. g- n y" v; X* Z
homes to make them more competitive. Activity from out-of-town and US buyers" H- v- N2 b9 X1 V1 n* n
was down slightly compared to 2005, likely attributable to the strong Canadian( t0 J, \; p& ?! y
dollar. Inventory levels began to creep up in the third quarter, providing
! ^' a8 d) Y& w1 k7 zbuyers with more options when looking for a home.
! M% {- Y7 N! S$ H
0 A, q: @: z! l0 U; z5 m4 O Activity in St. John's slowed slightly in the third quarter, particularly
. C# g4 n3 C* n$ g( `5 D/ J6 D$ S; v7 tamong higher-priced properties, where there was a slight over-supply of homes
2 J9 Q5 N" ?; E8 [* b" p0 f& upriced over $200,000. Listing periods have increased when compared with 2005,
$ C$ q9 P; ]5 E3 _/ T9 nas some of the pent-up demand that had characterized the market over the last: _, W, @: \& l8 a0 ~% B. n
few years has been satisfied, resulting in more normal, balanced conditions.2 Q# X& _9 V* g* U9 B7 g9 S* I# s
3 e$ u" W+ H) r% H ^9 k1 D Montreal's housing market recorded modest increases in average house
) \" g5 o0 C- c' Xprices, due to a slight seasonal slowdown in the third quarter as inventory: o- I/ H( q! G- k7 f" h
levels rose. Part of this can be attributed to the fact that many renting' g7 Y& x7 O+ }6 g# D6 @
first-time buyers were motivated to close on the purchase of a home by July 1,
_6 c0 D5 K, c: ^4 I! ^when rental leases expire in Quebec. Once this date has passed some of the
- V) t9 x. `8 |5 x$ H! epressure is taken off the market, allowing buyers to visit more homes before7 Y' D" `$ f9 n/ M! K. C
making a purchase.% F! Z0 r% S2 x& J4 G; N. S
8 T+ g; X$ N* K+ n! [2 D6 y Ottawa held its position as one of the country's most stable housing& ]) q7 B* T8 S
markets in the third quarter, reinforced by a vibrant local economy and strong
9 x' A( @# _7 m1 _5 p; Aconfidence, resulting in modest increases in average house prices. The city
' F# T" h2 ` Z$ Jcentre remained a bright spot in Ottawa, with homes in this area attracting/ e" q4 E# z6 Z& |: d* }5 m
attention due to their convenient location and proximity to downtown
; G- S, |5 F4 j! Camenities.4 f* S w4 r- d$ S
& v! i7 E' I* o/ o The housing market in Toronto sustained healthy activity levels
1 R4 e2 u/ r: G8 z4 Uthroughout the third quarter, as a strong economy helped to maintain demand
! m" x7 s) f0 e$ a4 B. {& c0 b6 yacross the city, causing average house prices to rise moderately. Toronto has
8 R k) T# C N9 k9 _; Qcontinued to experience modest growth in average house prices, and has been
M" D* d. Y! `% ?' o5 N3 ?1 e: Idriven primarily by purchasers who are buying homes as their principle' B3 P! _. U! T2 {8 z5 ~
residence, rather than for investment., z) b4 S- n% h( k6 ?
$ [- w9 U& [4 e1 D. T' U
The vibrant Winnipeg housing market continued to show its strength as1 j Y8 l" _0 |' b: `8 X) _; M* ?
house prices rose during the third quarter. The booming local economy resulted" E7 _2 g3 q$ `
in a historically low unemployment rate, helping to bolster consumer
$ @- v. d7 Q' q) C$ t2 Fconfidence and Winnipeg's ranking as the city with the lowest capitalization
0 N$ F1 Q4 U6 [9 Y: A2 S5 `rate among the country's larger cities - helped to encourage buyers to enter" ]# j# c1 c2 @5 n& ?
the market. F- F3 ^. K* I5 O: U. G
' D" o0 A+ M( @0 `! S0 }
In Regina, the market experienced a slight seasonal slowdown through
" x$ Y1 B" A' j2 U% f( [ ]5 {July, as there were fewer purchasers in the market due to summer vacations. In, L# D8 m1 o' ~
August, activity resumed to the busy pace previously seen in the spring
, ]" h; f5 @# d5 p2 `. dmonths, as the influx of purchasers made it more difficult to find a home due
) D- w3 G& j8 d3 }- i7 d$ oto the shortage of available inventory." d/ j2 b5 O9 B$ w4 F& u1 c. ~
2 [4 u1 {2 U. m0 @# _; g" h
Activity in Saskatoon remained brisk as the market maintained its7 E- }0 ]" g0 R) G- q
momentum from the busy spring sales period. The economy in Saskatoon remains V3 {3 U5 h! O0 B
vibrant, as employment opportunities are abundant with many businesses% U8 Y) ~6 a% d! k ]
struggling to make hires and having to recruit outside the province.
0 u% m n* I) f* ]& k8 o
" S5 T4 E) w* k% ?/ l! {+ n! |. x/ T Calgary's housing market recorded blazing average house price increases5 o, ^- G5 `: E$ o
in the third quarter, in all surveyed categories. The burgeoning economy, low
/ @ d3 s; `3 y$ yunemployment rates and low inventory levels remained the leading factors that
; `2 u: h4 v. L8 r! Y% Epressured Calgary's house prices upwards. However, regardless of the soaring% p9 o" p7 ~& s: `$ `8 z4 Q8 A
prices that characterized the market - even during the typically slower summer
) o4 L7 N* ]' u9 X9 |season - it is expected that activity will become slightly more balanced, as
4 Z8 a! T! O' Lbuyers are becoming more reluctant to participate in the frenetic activity.
1 ^ n/ e/ c0 V* }& `" D: g( d i' p$ u3 _* @$ E7 J
Edmonton's booming local economy continued to thrive in the third quarter2 L+ c1 F! T! W9 y
as activity in the oil sands north of the city continued to flourish. Edmonton
3 P6 T( G4 o- B3 Mremained the hub of activity for those coming to work in the oil industry,0 e4 q3 B0 [1 ~, q* s( y2 k$ E
maintaining tight inventory levels across the city, resulting in prices
) k" x6 S7 c4 T; s, ?, A pincreasing at record levels. However, as inventory levels continued to improve
8 j( t5 ?. a3 d' O7 V0 s% y3 y5 Hin the third quarter the rate of price appreciation should moderate slightly+ ?( Z- {, b* ?% Z0 E& E
towards the end of 2006. ; {# S% x3 B. C2 ?$ ~
; d9 {3 P- \. v; [
While Vancouver has seen a slight reprieve from the severe shortage of% B4 E1 [) i+ ^$ u* Y
inventory that had previously characterized the market, supply is still unable* j# f0 y% b4 e# b
to meet demand, driving house prices upwards. Vancouver has a very diverse; q$ Y& E! b; ~9 K7 r3 s2 |
group of active buyers - from first-time home buyers to baby-boomers to* q, y; |! A7 D2 _& _
foreign investors - all of whom fuel the demand for houses, placing added: p0 r) P2 I, y+ z; B: M5 ?
pressure on tight inventory levels.
( C% J5 e' F9 H" f1 X' B5 m* a5 {( C+ e/ t1 [4 J7 r7 X3 |% W
Victoria's market is vibrant and supported by strong economic1 R2 q- o3 \4 B* {: [
fundamentals, fuelled by a booming tech sector and a migration of young people
. h( G7 v. S4 Cinto the city that has continued to support the area's house price increases;" O. W+ t" Y) I& A6 L
while increased inventory levels have afforded buyers more time when searching* d! h2 V3 }: z9 L, Z
for a home, helping to normalize the market's pace.( K# ]# ?$ |) q% ~, j O+ _
: w, r. C* E, g; O+ K <<3 G1 a" k' h& |* t/ P7 Q/ W2 O
Survey of Canadian Average House Prices in the Third Quarter 2006
/ n5 @! O6 [+ ?; M% _% J' ^3 t( E4 g/ t8 L A* B- p; w8 M( ^4 E
-------------------------------------------------------------------------6 n( b6 p% d7 W& W) C2 c
Detached Bungalows Standard Two Storey+ j2 D7 t; w* t$ d5 }; e
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- N9 L; p/ {6 O3 b 2006 Q3 2005 Q3 Bungalow 2006 Q3 2005 Q3
4 x0 P. u( Q9 N, ^7 N$ N* { Market Average Average % Change Average Average
9 h5 d0 m0 s4 n. b* t7 Q -------------------------------------------------------------------------& r% D$ m% k; o: f4 m0 `+ ]
Halifax 186,333 173,333 7.5% 198,667 199,000
5 m/ }- H1 P, v$ x; \" Y! W -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ s0 f! S7 y+ w6 ]0 _ Charlottetown 145,000 141,000 2.8% 175,000 170,0007 @. J8 e* z M: b# X% K# _
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 y+ B, z2 a$ `$ o8 ^( Z( @ Moncton 135,000 127,000 6.3% 129,000 123,000
7 b8 l" G, t9 \/ G! T: G- p -------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 Q0 `! d) _ C: @& x Saint John 141,200 142,900 -1.2% - -/ K' Q1 ?5 Z3 r( ]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 D8 t" n0 o* G! `' i2 U) w St. John's 143,667 142,667 0.7% 200,667 202,333 ^$ I- }. i* W6 J! f
-------------------------------------------------------------------------8 l2 \: N' B6 T% @0 ]
Atlantic 150,240 145,380 3.3% 175,833 173,5830 c( B" e- Z- ~; t
-------------------------------------------------------------------------# {$ W; q; R$ W7 [
Montreal 213,691 203,500 5.0% 321,141 316,185& o0 i% }' {9 g. J/ V
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 _: H& ?5 r O2 l2 R" R9 T! T Ottawa 290,083 278,417 4.2% 285,667 273,250% M4 R& s5 F5 B) i4 o0 ~
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 [ R6 F( U& t/ v8 Y- w, v Toronto 373,368 355,882 4.9% 481,523 474,7660 E# k9 m g/ H) [9 u0 M( w
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 T8 Q( ?# b0 I8 x0 D( C) E5 G$ v/ W Winnipeg 181,579 159,860 13.6% 202,337 180,707% g; o" l4 @/ ~2 ?
------------------------------------------------------------------------- n1 g/ q ~$ u N' z
Saskatchewan 170,667 156,083 9.3% 182,600 166,500; P" l& Z9 Y2 ^, H: u
-------------------------------------------------------------------------0 a# O6 L# g ?
Calgary 395,067 252,411 56.5% 405,778 264,389 a6 |& s$ g# I) J; U* D
-------------------------------------------------------------------------$ U$ D4 K5 A/ q" E) ^ \
Edmonton 286,857 194,857 47.2% 316,429 206,7147 \: ]- x9 u# L7 j
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
; D4 z+ |& ?' U# e' q# M$ Q Vancouver 704,250 601,000 17.2% 794,000 697,500, ^* s9 P6 \3 t! m! ]% a
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 V, x* G' N- b, ]$ q3 T- y& [; e Victoria 375,000 348,000 7.8% 403,000 391,000
! D5 d7 W& ~" s3 Z -------------------------------------------------------------------------) v5 l P, \8 I, B) r) ^" ]
National 300,365 258,202 16.3% 365,380 322,860! S5 H8 ~3 B9 h, s
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
# a; A: G F$ _. l) J2 q, }
8 g% Q o- h& D -------------------------------------------------------------$ w1 Z9 o. p- n$ @$ Q6 w" r* ]7 k
Standard Condominium
f6 ` n. g8 k0 w5 E P4 Z! d* h -------------------------------------------------------------# x+ U$ n# U. d/ S: b2 g* t z8 |
2-Storey 2006 Q3 2005 Q3 Condo
8 Y+ V; K5 i9 E3 P# X6 u6 P Market % Change Average Average % Change
+ N, k- O: W! k/ ~! F7 z -------------------------------------------------------------
' J+ P8 U7 j* W3 j6 F% K Halifax -0.2% 142,000 103,000 37.9%
6 x( i g( N/ s( @8 V& }; i; v -------------------------------------------------------------+ ]; ~, Q8 m8 w+ c0 o
Charlottetown 2.9% 98,000 98,000 0.0%8 `& |2 p" y; Z3 K4 g! e0 Q4 z
-------------------------------------------------------------. S- [& \" p7 F* b; }8 a3 [" F
Moncton 4.9% - - N/A J, L% o) k4 q
-------------------------------------------------------------: V; c1 d# {! i" \( ^
Saint John N/A - - N/A4 e2 x) |" r4 J! }% ]2 u
-------------------------------------------------------------$ v6 a9 U4 g$ B
St. John's -0.8% 146,333 145,667 0.5%$ u& W) Z" p0 {, f
-------------------------------------------------------------
0 d0 e, g9 J2 g) \3 } Atlantic 1.3% 128,778 115,556 11.4%1 B9 O2 E+ g/ _# F
-------------------------------------------------------------5 b9 q9 q5 n- e, J0 O
Montreal 1.6% 193,190 188,016 2.8%% p% `6 N. `6 b" W8 k! K9 Y
-------------------------------------------------------------, @& @# [+ M. m- Q- \- o% B$ S$ j
Ottawa 4.5% 181,083 172,250 5.1%% S: _7 {) D& q" b
-------------------------------------------------------------
) H7 S! T6 z3 C! v) ]# r5 f Toronto 1.4% 252,088 242,918 3.8%
f1 v8 s5 a5 l! |' `& T2 D -------------------------------------------------------------: `( u. S4 A+ G1 `# z1 u& U
Winnipeg 12.0% 105,648 96,008 10.0%
5 i; C0 m6 K) f -------------------------------------------------------------: x0 [! {* w) J8 m$ s" B
Saskatchewan 9.7% 106,250 101,000 5.2%
. y' d6 m( X* z; ]5 R6 b6 \ -------------------------------------------------------------
8 g* z' j8 \# t) n' U9 e Calgary 53.5% 245,844 153,867 59.8%
# g# t: F7 x9 o9 }) ~( w -------------------------------------------------------------" c% ^; i( L1 [! f* v7 _" }& F( X9 J- `
Edmonton 53.1% 200,433 131,500 52.4%
3 e$ Z) W+ l4 x -------------------------------------------------------------2 ~( ^ {' o) l: \1 K
Vancouver 13.8% 366,250 323,250 13.3%% V; ~+ k, a( z8 u
-------------------------------------------------------------
! a* W2 Y9 V6 H2 d8 T9 D+ u Victoria 3.1% 229,000 220,000 4.1%
+ z" s& ?0 a% W+ X7 c0 ~6 | -------------------------------------------------------------
8 `( g* b7 h! J3 ? National 13.2% 211,562 185,296 14.2%/ @1 k1 R2 W+ i7 A. S$ s7 W
-------------------------------------------------------------
* r7 d1 n. @ G >> Q9 c0 d7 g; V2 J& w' I! _
- r; I% k' R/ x/ W5 W9 t: Y
Average house prices are based on an average of all sub-markets examined
- q5 |, i/ M8 q) l# B# J7 lin the area, except for the smaller markets of Charlottetown, Moncton, Saint) L, \/ I0 q/ Q' V7 w5 {6 J
John and Victoria.
. K! J. g/ p0 H& f* @9 i1 P" [( }% n, m; f E3 v
The Royal LePage Survey of Canadian House Prices is the largest, most
$ H- K; H( [5 l# p) vcomprehensive study of its kind in Canada, with information on seven types of2 z7 {& S8 J2 _: z2 @* w7 b; T
housing in over 250 neighbourhoods from coast to coast. This release
7 _/ {3 t& r) R% T! a3 V W, [references an abbreviated version of the survey, which highlights house price
' V0 F \$ z3 ^$ ^/ n1 c9 Z0 }trends for the three most common types of housing in Canada in 80 communities
( E3 X+ G8 n& ~ o$ l2 R7 J Cacross the country. A complete database of past and present surveys is& ~$ b' B. r' f c2 l1 o
available on the Royal LePage Web site at www.royallepage.ca, and current6 a# x0 c( _& m1 t
figures will be updated following the end of the third quarter. A printable
) `2 P4 q- `8 e8 yversion of the third quarter 2006 survey will be available online on
0 {& m, _5 ^4 F# \8 ~8 VNovember 15, 2006.
4 z% }1 x u1 R! L6 Z8 d Housing values in the Royal LePage Survey are Royal LePage opinions of
5 M, t Z+ R3 {2 g/ Lfair market value in each location, based on local data and market knowledge4 L& T% V$ D9 q( ?8 _% X
provided by Royal LePage residential real estate experts. Historical data is- `$ U( `# \. y8 T, s! }5 k
available for some areas back to the early 1970s. |
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