Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-25

Something About Rents in savannah
What a Prominent Real Estate Dealer
Says About the House Problem.
Some months ago it was lntimated by
one or two builders that the building
boom in Savannah would soon come to an
end for the season, that too many houses
were being built in proportion to the
population, or, in other words, that the
ratio Of Increase in population was not
sufficient to justify a continuance Of the
boom. The activity in building
this summer has, however. shown
that some Of them, at least, were mis-
taken, and, judging from the demand for
houses, it is Inferred that it will be some
time before capitalists will cease to invest
in the erection of residences more or less
costly. A reporter Of the MORNING
NEWS, while cOnversing upon the SUB
iect with some Of the real estate firms OF
the CITY, learned that when a house Is
advertised for rent they generally receive
a large number Of applicants, especially
if il is located in one OF tne more ueslIaole
portions of the city.
The reporter then asked II this demand
did not presage high rents?
Mr.. {. II. DOrsett, to whom the question
was put. replied: Rents are not high in
Savannah. The large houses do not pay
over 8 per cent. on the amount invested in
them. Smaller houses, however, pay bet
ter on the investment. If it were not for
the condition of the money market during
the past few months, it is probable that
rents would have been higher"
'.What class of houses seem to be most
in demand"
Houses renting from $50 to $50 per
month are scarce, and are readily taken
up. Not long ago, to illustrate the point
before referred to, / advertised two houses
for rent at $2j per month each and re-
ceiyed 100 applications"
.sWould not a number of houses renting
from SO TO $40 be readily taken as well as
houses renting for $50 and upwards~
Yes. There is a great need in Savan-
nah for houses renting at the figures you
mention. Those renting TOR that figure
already constructed are out upon the
outskirts of the city and in some instances
in undesirable neighbOrhOOds. Hence
number OF white families are
forced to occupy flats IN the
central portion of the city, who would
rather have three, four or five room
houses on good streets. In Macon, for
instance, small houses are built in this
way on good streets, and are always In
demand and pay well in proportion to the
amount invested. Another feature
in connection with the rent question
is shown by the advertisements when
appear in the Savannah and in the Atlanta
papers. The latter city claims much
larger population that Savannah, and yet
judging from the advertisements there
are an unusually large number OF
houses being advertised for rent. In
this city, however, the houses are not to
be had. They are all filed. 1t is reason
able to infer, therefore, that the popula-
ton Of the city is rapidly increasing. In
Atlanta rents are high, tor the reason that
the smaller houses cost more to construct,
or rather they ask from 81 to $50 per
month for three and fOur-rOOm
| houses that are fitted up with gas, water
bath and other cOnveniences with which
| houses of corresponding size in Savannah
are not furnished. In Atlanta a large
number of the small houses are located
| on good streets and in neighbOrhOOds par
ticularly desirable from being convenient
| to business