The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-04-05

The question of rent is one that is just now
agitating the minds of large number of
Washington people. THE HERALD has made
inquiries of number Of prominent real estate
dealers and agents on the subject and these
interviews will be found interesting. Mr..
George w. f. Swartzel, of the firm of d. II.
Warner & Co., was seen first.
"Does property bring the same rate of in
.terest as it did five years ago'" asked THE
HERALD man.
mo" replied Mr. Swartzell; cit yields a
less rate of interest, and it is hard to give
reason for it."
"Does it go to show" asked the reporter,
'that the market is becoming overstocked
with houses for rent only?"
''No, there may be more houses now on the
market for rent than there were five years
ago, but no more in proportion to the increased
population of the city,"
"What classes of houses rent most readily?"
was asked.
'"Those ranging in price from twenty to
forty dollars month; that is, provided they
are worth the money. Frequently property is
allowed to lie idle because it is rated a trife
high.n
"In what section of the city, in your judg
ment, do houses pay the best rate on their
costa
THAT depends" said Mr.. Swartzell, ga
good deal on the sort Of house and when it
was built. A brownstone house would not
pay east of Lincoln Park, because people who
could afford to paya rent sufficient to make it
yield fair interest on the investment would
not be apt to go to live in that section, and
six-room house would not pay on Dupont
Circle because ground is too valuable. The
needs and advantages as we'll as disadvan-
tages of neighborhood have to be taken into
account"
''And now a question in regard to land
lords,'' said THE HERALD man. s'Do you
think it is the best policy to deal literally
with tenants, and where should the line be
drawn on the question Of repair ~
stThat is rather hard question to answer"
replied Mr.. Swartzell, s'but 1 think it is the
best policy to be reasonable, but it is not best
to have the reasonableness all on one side;
the line in the matter Of repairs should be
drawn between ordinary and extraordinary
wear and tear. II you will tell me just where
thai line is l will be glad to answer your
question"
MIR. THOMAS G. HENSEY'S VIEWS.
''Does property bring the same rate of inter
Mr.. Thomas e. Hensey, the real estate dealer
at the corner of Thirteenth and Streets in
reply to question. mo, for the same reason
that Government bonds bring less interest
than other bonds. Property has appreciated
rapidly in the past five years by reason of out
side capitalists seeking investments here, and,
Of course, the better the security the less the
amount of interest to be paid. The market is
not becoming overstocked with houses for
rent only, because as a merchant always buys
larger supply of goods than he expects to
sell in the near future, SO with Washington as
city. The influx Of people will increase with
its supply Of accommodations, and if it is I'M
derstood that these accommodations are easily
obtained people will come here.
''In my opinion the most desirable rental
property are those houses that range from
twenty-five to sixty dollars month, and be
Ieve that the northeastern section of the city
at present pays the best rate of interest ON the
cost. II is the best policy to deal literally
with good tenants" continued Mr.. Hensey
sand all reasonable and necessary repairs
should be made promptly, as it is mutually
advantageous to the owners as well as tho
tenants
RITII,nING