St. Paul daily globe., 1895-06-02
REAL ESTATE MOVING.

One of the first commodities to feel
the effects of a collapse, and one of the
last to recover, is real estate. Not un-
til after good times have become firm
Iy established, saving recommended
and money Withdrawn from its hiding
places for investment, does the de-
mand for real property begin to be
active. If, therefore, it appears that
real. estate is beginning to move with
some freedom, this may be taken as
one of the last and most conclusive
evidences that times are on the mend.
We present in our local columns an
article containing the proof that this
is the existing situation at the pres
ent time. During the years of depres-
sion, real estate had practically ceased
to change hands on any terms. This
is no longer the case. There is moth
ing that resembles a boom, fortunate
ly, nor is there likely to be. But the
spell that bound the market to in
action is broken. Real estate
is not now an unstable COM
modify. 1t is not impossible to dis
pose of good property at low prices.
And this is only the beginning of an
improvement that will grow more and
more decided with each week that
passes.
Inquiry among the dealers reveals
an increase in sales of property, and
of inquiries by prospective buyers,
that is most encouraging. And per-
haps the best feature of it is the fact
that sales are principally Of small
properties, to people looking for
homes. This is satisfactory not only
because it indicates a considerable
addition to population, but because
where there are SO many ready to
buy, the return of confidence must
have become quite general. A few
big deals may not mean anything
more than the speculations of a single
person. A great many small ones
give proof of a widespread faith in
the desirability of real estate at pres
ent prices as an investment. and a
certainty that it is on the rise.
This, as we have already pointed
out, and as shrewd observers like
Archbishop Ireland have noted, is
simply inevitable. In the general rise
of prices which has taken in the whole
range of production, it is not reason
able to suppose that a single COM
modify would constitute an exception.
Real estate fell farthest during the
panic, and yet real estate alone has
never recovered any part of its lost
value. 1t must share in the general
restoration as surely as the sun rises.
headed people have begun to pick up
the bargains to be had in abundance
after the late depression. The market
is full of inquireIs; and bits of prop
erty that have vainly solicited a bid
at any price are now being looked
after by people who are willing to
make offers. This is but the begin
ming of the recovery. Wheat and
cotton and railroad stocks are not the
only commodities subject to a rise in
prices and to new activity in the mar
ket with the renewal of confidence
and activity. Real estate is, when all
is said and done, the safest and surest
of all investments. 1t is to have it's
turn. After the severe drop in prices
that followed the abnormal activity
in the sos, it was certain that there
would be a prolonged period of dull
ness. We have furnished the PROOF
that this is now drawing to a close. A
healthy, but general, recovery and an
increased and reader market. for real
estate at moderate prices are as well
assured as anything in the future
can be.