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Housing
starts
decline
By SHARON KILPATRICK
Rappahannock News Staff Writer * In spite of a burst of activity during the summer and early fall, the County building office actually issued one fewer permit for new house construction in 1992 than in 1991.
This continues a steady downward trend that began in 1988. During 1987 87 permits were issued for new home construction. In 1988 there were 80; in 1989 there were 74; in 1990 there were 62; in 1991 there were 49, and in 1992 there were 48.
The average dollar value of houses constructed, however, was the highest it has been. The average value for residential construction was listed at $119,400 last year, up from $101,300 in 1991, and $85,200 in 1990.
The owner or principal contractor estimates the cost of building the house when he originally applies for the building permit, and that figure is the one the building office uses.
The average dollar of homes built in 1989 was $117,100. In 1988 it was $117,600, and in 1987 it was $105,900.
The building office issued permits for two houses that greatly increased the average value of houses Under construction in 1992. One was
See Houses, Page A-2
82.9%