National Republican., 1883-09-15
THE REAL ESTATE TRADE.
Gossip About Dealers In and Buyers OF
Washington Property.


There was but littlo doing in real estate
matters during the past weclS the weather
seriously interfering with this branch of
trade Some good salos were reported, one
dealer having sold fine property mt $4,000, u
better at $4,000 and II still better at $4,000,
besides having made some smaller sales. He,
however, was au exception. Several dealers
say that they have bargains pending, but that
they are not sufficiently far advanced to
make mention of.
"SOme of the owners of property don't
seem to really know their own minds ut ALL"
said II prominent dealer to II REPUBLICAN
reporter yesterday. "rhcy read in the news
papers that property in Il certain section of
tho city is very much sought and that lots
have been sold at high advance over their
purchase but II short time previously, and
they think their property, no matter where
il Is located, ought 10 increase in the same
ratio. have had two or three cases of this
kind recently. one man owIcd piocc of
property in South Washington, ~ small lot
worth only $500. We'll, got him man who
would give that for IL, and then he said that
he had read that property in the northwest,
and on tho hills north of the city, had
greatly increased in value, and he thought
his was worth more money Now it wasn't,
and yet he thought that because property was
high in the northwest, ii should go up on tho
island. Another case was that of n man
who placed piece Of property i'll my hands
which he held at $1,000, but said that if he
could get u genuine offer for 5000 less he
would take it.. got him an offer of 81 ,00O,and
then he said he understood property had
gone mp, and he wanted $500; but he finally
agreed to let it go for $3.50. The party
who made the offer agreed to give that SUN,
for the property was just what he wanted,
and when / took him to the owner to mako
n deposit, thinking the matter was all set
tied the man raised to $500"
The traffic in suburban property, both that
north of the city and that at Ivy City, is good
and firm, and sales are being made to good
advantage.
In buildings there arc not many new ones
being started, yet the work upon those
already commenced is being pushed rapidly
forward. The old Madison house. on + street,
has been remodeled, and the lower story has
now a handsome iron front, on the top OF
which the name Of the Riggs Fire Insurance
company indicates the'use TO which it will be
put.
The house which Mr.. L. L. Riggs is build
ing on Massachusetts, avenue, between Thir-
teenth and Fourteenth streets, is progressing
finely. Mr.. Riggs is building this dwelling
for his own occupancy, and the work will be
of the best character and finish. The house
will be IL feet front by 81 feet deep, and will
be 50 feet high three stories and basemcnt) to
the most elevated, part of the walls. The front
will be of pressed brick, with stone aud metal
cornice. 1t will have one bay window, run
ming up 80 feet, ID feet wide, with feet pro-
lection and octagonal in form. The cost OF
the house will be $4,000. Messrs. Horn
blower & Marshall arc the architects, and Mr..
Charles Edmonston the builder.
Three three-story buildings are being
erected by Mr. Joseph f. Bradley, on L, be-
tween nTwenty-frst and Twenty streets
northwest These houses will each have a
front of 10 feet and the depth will be 40 feet
The fronts will be of pressed brick, with corr
nices of brick and iron. They will contain
all modern improvements and will bo finished
in thoI best manner. Messrs. Gray & Page
arc the architects, and the estimated cost is
$4,000.