Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-01-24

l ~Se0 - VosV1O
Contrary TO general expectation, tn
indications are that houses for rent vii
be fully ~ scarce this spring az the.
have been for the past two or thre
springs. 1t was supposed that owini
to the dullness of manufacturing trade
that quite large number of iamiiie'
had removed from the city and other
for the sake Of econ0mizing had doubled
up two in a house to such an extern
that houses would be for rent plentiful
ly and cheaply. 1t seems, however
that if this change has been made Other
families have removed from the coun.
try and from other cities to fill up the
vacuum.
A prominent real estate dealer in
formed US yesterday that he had on che
average hundred callers day for
houses to rent, which would indicate
that great many people were yet with
our houses aud that all that We're for
rent would be taken up. Notwithstand-
ing this evident demand for houses
there was slight reduction in rents
for the cheaper class of houses in de-
mand by mechanics and workingmen,
but a sensible increase Of rents for the
larger and better class. The dullness
Of the mechanical trades that has forced
the price of wages down, has also reed
down the rents of mechanics houses,
while there was an inclination amongst
those who were SO fortunate as TO have
steady occupations and good wages to
get better houses.
Tenants who are punctual in paying
their rents have great advantage over
those who are little uncertain in that
respect Real estate dealers from the
force Of circumstances become good
judges of character. If they do not
know the habits and character of per
sons who apply to rent houses, they be-
come very inquisitive and want refer
ence as to character and honesty. If
a rent book can be shown regularly re-
ceipted for rent every month it is the
best of recommendations, and will in
sure the possessor of it a rent on
cheaper terms than the renter who
brings no such proof OF punctuality and
honesty.
Persons applying to rent house are
often surprised at tho inquisitiveness of
the owners. They half Indignantly
wonder what difference 1t makes to
them whether they do 60 out at night
or not, to take a social glass, a game Of
pool, or to see plays in the Opera House
two or three times week. But they
need not grow indignant 1t does make
a great difference. The man who re-
ceives ten OF twelve dollars a week in
wages, rents house for twelve or four.
teen dollars month, has seven or eight
in family to keep, spends dollar a
week drinking and treating, another
dollar at the pool table, and another in
going to the Opera House, ought not to
be surprised at inquisitive landlords
They want to be sure Of their rents, and
they know that such man as we have
described, simply cannot pay the rent
he obligates himself 10 do If they do
rent such a person house they gene
rally put on u dollar or two a month
extra to pay expected losses. Our in
formant, who has long been in the real
estate business, says that good tenants
have no difficulty in getting choice
houses at reduced rates, while the
pool-playing-opera-going class
are always showed over to the last, and
finally, if there are any houses left, they
are generally of the inferior sort and are
+ nted to inferior ten nts at higher rents
tlan are asked for better houses and
from better tenants.
Though our informant Thought it
would be well for the business interests
If the city if not more than fifty new
houses Were built the coming season the
fact that there is such lively demand
for houses after prosperous building
year is an indication that Wilmington
ioes not intend to submit to being
fenced in for year or more in order to
take breathing spell. If wages are to
be low, and rents are To be low to suit
he wages, there will be- builders ready
to construct houses ~ meet any emer-
yency.