Evening star., 1898-09-03
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Dealers Hopeful for Good Business
This Fall.
INQUIRIES BEGINNING TO Be MADE
New Buildings That Are in Process
of Construction.
OPERATIONS LAST MONTH

With the advent of the fall season there
is a renewal of hope among real estate
dealers for a revival of business. The hope
seems to be based upon some firm founda-
tions and many circumstances, fortuitous
in themselves, appear to substantiate the
expectations which are entertained.
The first actual indications of a return
of business prosperity consist Of inquiries
for real estate 1t must be admitted that
in this direction but little has occurred
within the past week to boast about. In
quiry among the dealers elicits the state
ment that while an occasional feeler has
been thrown out by prospective buyers,
there has been no great clamor nor hue
and cry for real estate in the week just
closed.
The mainstays for the hope of better
times this fall are several in number. In
the first place general confidence is felt
in the result of the peace negotiations. 1t
is thought that with the war at an end
and peace in sight, men wil6 be able to set
tie down again to the humdrum affairs OF
everyday life and devote some attention
to business and money making. OF course
it is understood that there is no field more
, conducive to money making than invest
ment In Washington real estate at this
time. The tide is just on the turn, and in
vestors can take advantage of the ebb
prices and ride in upon the food which
every believes is soon to make.
The Money Market Plentiful.
Another condition which induces to the
belief that there will be heavy investments
in real estate this fall is the state of the
money market Money Is plentiful in
Washington for those who have good Sc
curity to offer for their loans. The lender
who gets 6 per cent now is lucky. A man
with good security can borrow million
dollars in Washington ,at per cent, it is
claimed by those whose business it is to
lend. 1t is said that some money is going
at Az per cent on suparlative security.
The result of this condition. 1t is claimed,
this glut of money in the hands of persons
who do not want their capital to lie idle,
will be to divert a large proportion of the
idle funds into real estate investments.
The advantages for such investments, 1t is
claimed, as good now as they are
likely ever to be in the history of Washing
ton.
1t Is said among the firms who have to
dc with rentals that, there is a growing de-
n and for houses This naturally would be
expected at this season of the year, when
families are returning TO town for the win
ter, and those who haveyremained are look
ing about for different quarters. There are
indications of frrner tone in rents, 1T Is
said, due to an increasing demand for
opens with rents very low, the belief is
expressed by many dealers that there will
be noticeable increase before the winter
sets in.
The Globe Building Sale.
The past week has not been marked by
important transactions in real estate. One
of the most interesting was the sale of the
property known as the Globe building, on
Pennsylvania avenue near Sd street. 1t is
tional Tribune, and extensive improve
ments will be made. This is the first ex-
tensive sale of real estate which has occur
red in that neighborhood for some time
Some New Buildings.
In building circles there is some activity.
Edgar w. Kellogg has commenced the con-
structfon of row Of ten houses on Dart
mouth street. Columbia Heights. They are
to be three-story structures. containing
eight rooms and reception hall. They will
be heated by hot water and have concreted
cellars. The row will cost about $65, 600.
Washington Heights has received an i'm
oy ii. Simpson and w. w. Souder on Cali
1orn1a avenue. They are ten-room struc-
lures, three stories and basement, and cost
about S15,50O each.
Petworth has another Improvement in the
completion of seventeen pretty frame
cottages by Christian ]. Ubhoff. They are
eight-room frames, with slate roofs, and
are valued at $1,000 each.
William A. Kimmel has finished six
houses in Washington Heights, on 18th
street extended. They are three stories In
height, contain eleven rooms, and are val
ued at S12 600 each. He has also built four
houses at the intersection of Florida
avenue, 18th and U streets, costing from
$4,000 to $4,000 each.
Proposed Academy Building.
The Ladies Of the Sacred Heart who
have been anxious for several years to es-
tablish an academy in this city, are about
to purchase the ground adjoining ST. Paurs
Church, 10Th and V streets, which belongs
to that church. There they will erect a
suitable building for convent and acad-
emy. This will be the drst foundation of
this order in this diocese.
Building Operations.
Inspector of Buildings John Brady has
submitted to the Engineer Commissioner,
Capt Beach, the following report for the
month of August. 1898, of the building op-
erations in the District Of Columbia. Per-
mits were issued for the number and char
acter of buildings as follows:
BRICK dwellings, ffty-six, $179 300; frame
evenings, five, $3.50; brick repairs, sixty,
s6oo26; pG da51;n frame repairs forty s5sIe; store
(brick), five. 12,7o0; apartments or flats
lbrick), one. $20.0O0; stable Cbricis), two,
5000; stable Qrame), three, $525; carriage
$22o; grand stand, one. $500: conservatory,
one, 500; engine shed, one, s. 500: shed
lbrical, one. $500; sheds frsme. twenty
one, $5O1; total, 200 items. Sa19 293
The following summary viii show the
distribution of improvements in the differ
same;
northeast. 81 100; buildings in northwest,
$6,725; buildings In southeast, Sc, $50; build
ings in southwest $1,000; total, $251 $50
repairs IN northwest, $86, ,464; repairs in
county, $22,519; repairs in southeast, $3,-
oeo; repairs in southwest, $3 .415; repairs in
northeast, 81 1853; total, $67 TAB.
Tea Samples Not Dutiable.
The Treasury Department has issued
circular OF instructions to all custom off,