Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-19
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP.
The Return of Warm Weather Makes It Dull
in Brokers Offices.

SOMETHING ABOUT THE RENTING OF HOUSES
GOOD DEMAND FOR DESIRABLE HousEs-oSE
EFFECT OF GOOD scEooLs-AS ACTIVE BUILD
no sEAsoS-oTnER NOTES OF INTEREST.
There are probably very few classes of bust
ness men who dread the return OF no. spell
at this season of the year much do the
men who are interested in the movement of
real estate. The reason for this is a simple
one. The people who have bank accounts large
enough to make a marked ripple in the real
estate world are still out of town. in the noun
tains and at the seaside. and a touch Of warmth
in the air at home has a tendency to retard
their return. Hence the real estate men in
town this week are about unanimous in the
statement that things are very dull just now.
One Of the most active Of them said yesterday
that while the court records this week had been
unusually long very few of the deed had gone
through his office. and while he had a number
of large deals on hand they were still In the
embryo stage and it was impossible to say
whether any Of them would really develop into
anything of account
Notwithstanding this dullness In the market
and the complete absence of any large sales the
transfers OF deeds, as noted at the office Of the
recorder of deeds. have been more numerous
during the latter part OF the week than for
some time past On Thursday the number of
transfers recorded was more than half again
as large any day since last MAY. This Is
q suggestion Of the reviving activity that is to
be expected ut this season of the year. even
though in most cases the individual transfers
were not of great importance Straws tell
about the wind, according to the proyerb, and
this is taken as sign of better things in the
rear future Real estate men, as a rule. are
looking forward toward a season of marked ac-
tivity, and are confident that things are going
to be unusually lively in the real estate world
this fall
RENTED HOUSES.
II things are rather quiet i'll the matter Of
sales Just now the same cannot be said of the
dealings in rented houses Large and hand
some houses that command good figure are in
unusual demand, while at the rate houses of
moderate size are going of there will soon be
no desirable ones left in the market. One en-
terprising young firm on I street had during
the summer a long list of such houses and of
the number all but four were let by the LIST of
September. at good figures and for the most
part for long periods of time. People who are
here the year round form the bulk of those
who desire moderate houses and one would
think they would be accommodated by now
Such is not the case and the demand
for all classes of rented houses continues un-
abated.
From now on the people with larger pocket
books ard more ambitious desires In the way
OF homes will be coming back to town. Already
the first effects of this influx are being felt,
and many of the real estate offices, especially
those that make a specially of renting houses,
are being overwhelmed with applications for
houses OF the better class.
One such firm yesterday closed a lease for a
handsomely furnished house in the northwest
section of the city for $4,000 for nineteen
months and another for "A 800 for eight
months. The latter was to gentleman from
the west. who was ANXIOUS to make this city his
home for the winter. in order that his daughter
might attend one OF tie prominent young
ladies' semlnaries here The agent who made
the lease is authority for the statement that
the increase in the educational facilities and
advantages in Washington has had a very con-
siderable effect on real estate in this way,
bringing to the city numbers of rich people,
whC lind the educational advantages that their
children enjoy here mean element in the
causes that lead them to remain here during
the winter.
One young ladies' seminary in this city is
said to draw students from more different Sec
tions of the country than any other school of
the sort in the east. The parents of II good
many of these pupils are glad to make this an
excuse for spending a large part of the year in
Washington They are tine class of people that
want good houses and when they find WELL
located and handsomely furnished house they
are willing to pay good rental and besides
that make q desirable element in the popula-
ton
Rented houses are usually in good demand.
bring good figures, but are coed deal more
trouble to attend to than other houses, and
many Of the leading agents say they will be
slow to handle them this year. They are not
looked upon as a gilt-edged investment and for
the most part come into the market by reason
Of their owners desiring to 20 abroad for u
considerable length OF time. In preference to
letting them lie idle good tenants are looked
for and the owner takes his chances of getting
his house back in good condition.
The active season for furnished hOuses does
not begin much before the middle of October.
and from that time until the opening of
Congress a desirable furnished house lis not
likely to keep its rent card in the window for
any length Of time. Judging by the season so
far houses to let stand no chance of becoming
q drug on the market, while on the other hand
IL is probable that before long the agents will
not be able to satisfy the demand.
RKsovATISG THE OLD SWAIN HOUSE.
One Of the most important improvements
that is now going on is the renovation of the
old Swain house, now owned by Mr.. A. NJ.
Lothrop- This is on the north side of X street
Just west OF 18th street. The house il is
row consists of what was originally two houses
rhe entrance to the smaller one having been
closed up and the two connected. Mr.. Lothrop
Il having the two separated again and both put
IN thorough condition and W. n all the me dern
Improvements. The outside appearance will
not be materially changed, but large sum of
money will BE- spent in altering and decorating
10th houses. Mr.. Lothrop contemplates using
the larger for his own use and the Their will
probably be taken by a northern physician
who intends making Washington his future
hone.
TIE BUILDING SEASON.
There has been perceptible falling of in the
building permits issued during the last two
months from the number issued during the
earlier portion of the season. although during
the past week things are beginning to look
brighter. During the week ending yesterday
Their were issued from tine office of tine Inspector
Of buildings % permits, aggregating in cost
IA. $50 The greatest activity was shown in the
suburbs, 10 permits of the number having been
issued for dwellings In this section at an esti-
mated cost of IS. $50. The remainder was
iiviC ed as follows; The northwest only received
3 permits, at an estimated valuation OF $500:
southwest 4. at $500, northeast 2. at $500;
southeast l, at $3.50.
Inspector of Buildings Entwisle in converse
ton with STAR reporter on the subject of new
buildings, said:
Il think the fall business will be brisk, espe-
rially in the suburbs. Many new buildings are
being talked OF. and between now and the 18th
Of October a number of permits vii! be taken
out NV nual report will show that the past
season has been the busiest In the history of
tbs Office.
COUNTY ROADS
Superin tendenf os County Ro,fs Gaorga "