National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-04-26
GETTING HOMES.
A Review Of the Weeks Transactions in
Real Estate.
Tho situation Described by Agents and
Owners as Altogether Lovely.


set forth in the following interviews;
Mr.. Z. A. MoIntire thought that there was
growing demand for property. People were
now looking to other sections than the north
west. This could be said of property on CAPT.
toll hill and South Washington. The demand
is greatest for medium class of houses, and
tho supply will not meet the demands.
During his fifteen years in business he has
never seen so few available houses empty.
People heretofore boarding are now looking
up houses to rent. The negotiations are on
u better basis than few years ago. Tho de-
mand at times causes the rental of houses two
weeks and often month before they are va
Gated. Ho scarcely uses plaoard on tho
property under his care. lie was oVerrun
with inquiries. He believed that IL he had II
hundred houses for rent to-day every one
would have q tenant before night.
Mr.. NJ. NJ. Rohrer remarked that in the
general market matters were dull prices in
the northwest hold their own. A medium
class of houses were in good demand, Prop
erty In the northeast section was enhancing
in value where IL is not near tho railroad. If
the Baltimore and Ohio depot and tracks were
removed the property there would enhance
threefold in value In that section. lilo thought
IL very desirable TO have tho depot go.
Mr.. II. O. Hoffman esteemed the outlook
to be very good considering the weather.
He has been busy all tho week. The
inquiries have been very large. During
this spring he has sold more houses than lots,
which is contrary to the general rule. The
demand this spring has been more for invest
ment than speculation, and it has been, so
far, tho healthiesG spring market since he
has been in the business. Values
still keep up. and oven at pres.
emit prices there is great room
for speculation. There Is an increase of
wealth in the city, and the bona fde number
of residents cannot be less than 100000. The
way for tho town to grow is forward.
Wealthy retired merchants are looking to
Washington as n place for retirement. There
is q general demand for houses to rent at
moderate rate. He rented yesterday o
large furnished house on Lafayette square,
which is unusual for tho spring season.
Col. James A. TAFT remarked upon
tho large number of foundations dug.
There is healthy building spirit. Houses
for rent are in great demand. 1t is common
sight to SEQ one load of furniture leave q
house and another waiting to 20 in. Room
renting Is also in great demand. He found IL
impossible to keep house for rent one day.
Avery good class of people arc seeking houses
on the hill The heathfulness of the place
and cheapness Of property were primo induce
ments. 1t is wonderful to see the blocks OF
houses going up.
A. l.. Barber & Co., stated that they look
for q good season, which, but for the lateness
of the spring, would now be fairly open.
The demand for improved and unimproved
property, while not 80 great as at this time
last year, is greater than tho average. AT
the sale this week of unimproved lots on
Meridian hill there was q good attendance
and good prices we're realized. Among the
buyers were several well-known and wealthy
citizens, who have made the bulk of Their
wealth in real estate. On Columbia heights
there have been several transactions. The
residence for Mr.. A. l.. Barber approaches
completion, so far as the stone work is con,
cerned. Washington will never be cheaper
than it is now.
Mr.. John Sherman said that the week hal
not been marked by nything of special in
terest. The demand for small houses, boil
for rent and purchase, has been large, quite
equal to anything known in our experience
The difficulty in finding accommodations fo
persons who desire houses ranging from $2i
to $50 rental per month, and from $1,000 tc
$1,000 at sale, is rapidly increasing, and il
obliging parties to go farther from the centel
of tho city. The firm could sell and rent {
large number of properties of moderate
values if they had them to offer. The season
is backward and building delayed.
To a leading real estate firm the past weel
has been an eventful one in the sale o
suburban property. large number o
Meridian hill lots, in the subdivision of Hal
and Elvan's, were offered for sale at publ,
auction. The attendance was good, tn,
bidding spirited, and tho prices realized wer'
regarded as satisfactory, considering the salt
in suburban property that was very crafty
ing and reassuring. Inquiry was awakened
in the purchase of lots contiguous to Meridian
bill, which resulted in the sale by Fitch, Fo1
& Brown of some $4,000 worth of lots OF
Laner heights to prominent buyers. TIL,
same firm report the sale of four lots durinj
the present week OH College hill, nortl
grounds, and three lots of J.. X. futile
subdivision of q part of the Widows Mite
They have had offers for other largo proper
ties adjoining the city, and feel very hopeful
for increased transactions during the montl
of May.
As an evidence of the great demand Of
brick for building purpose, Mr.. B. ii. Warner
vice president of the Virginia Brick company
stated that the company had sold nearly al
of its production for the coming season. On
million bricks were sold yesterday. Th
company was thinking of doubling its ca
pacity by working a night force with tn
electric light He was interested IL
the construction of over forty houses
The season for building was at hand
and the cost of construction wa
cheaper now than last year. Mr. w. 7
bricks for Mr.. Aulick Palmer on Tenth street
between j. and G streets southeast to cos
$4,000 Mr.. Garretson is also erecting fou
brick dwellings on & street between Seventh
and Eighth streets southwest, cost $500
also, three brick stores on Seventh between
Fisher. Mr.. Garretson stated that the build
ing season opens very we'll that there wer
lot of medium-sized houses being built al
over town. Mr.. L. A, Mclntire will 500
erect five handsome three-story press-bricl
houses on East Capitol street.
row of bricks on G street, between Sixtl
and Seventh streets southeast, James York ,
Son, builders, are nearly completed at cos
of $4,000.
Duvall a. Mari are about to erect row
eighteen or twenty two-story brick houses o.
C street, between Sixth and Seventh street
northeast.
New York company has had the founda
tions dug for a row Of dwellings on stree
between Sixth and Seventh streets northeas
md the intention is TO erect other rows o
Sixth street and Maryland avenue.
A row of houses will likely be built soon o
the square at the corner of Third street an
Maryland avenue.
ANafterdinner delicaCy-GooTge's Ratchet ciga
bicycle Notes.