The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-02
HOUSES In DEMAND
PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR GOOD
PLACES IN WHICH TO
LIVE
RESIDENCE LOTS LIKEWISE

Previously - Only Old Houses
Are Idle, a General Rule
Chats With the Local Dealers of
St. Paul.
There has been mere activity In local
realty during the last week than for
several preceding weeks, in fact, it
seems to be the general consensus OF
opinfon among dealers that there is
far more life to the market at present
than for several years. This condition
has not been brought about by any
speculative movement, but rather by
q great demand for houses. Everything
Of medium class, that Is in any way
desirable, is rented, and there is every
desirable that a great deal of
building will be commenced on
property of residence streets next
spring. Contracts for this class of work
are already being let, as there will
doubtless be a great demand for con-
tract work early in the spring.
E R. Bryant said: while there Is
little demand for business property
homes and improved lots are a ready
sale at low figure. Prices are going
up, and as soon as people realize that
the present low market will not con-
tinue through the winter there will
doubtless be quite a good many invest
in some property. There are a great
n2ny people in the market looking for
homes. This fall has seen quite a
scramble for rented houses, and people
are having to take almost anything
they can find. AT South st. Paul there
| Is not a house to be had, and I think
without doubt, a great many small
| houses will be built there in the spring
L n Il fn L.. IL
! people employed by the Swift company.
/ Conditions are certainly much i'm
| proved. Two or three years ago I was
| hustling around to keep my vacant
houses covered by insurance, and now
l have everything rented.
The great demand for houses will I'M
| questionably lead to something better.
F. L. Bayard, of Bayard & Co., said:
Business is better than for some time
| past, and there are some indications of
better things to come. A great many
| houses will be put up in the spring,
both on residence streets and lots in
| the suburbs, which have for years been
a dead loss to owners. Next spring
! these will be, many Of them, improved
| by substantial buildings. My contrac-
tor is one month behind with his work,
as he cannot secure sufficient labor to
enable him to keep up with his work
Builders say they have every assur-
|
in demand in the spring"
j. P. Moore, Of the National Invest
| ment company, said: More business
has been done in realty during two
months than for three years. The mar
ket has been particularly characterized
| by large demand for medium price
! homes, conveniently located. We look
| for quite an improvement in the market
during the next three months"
|
II have just one house for rent" said
| w. F. Moritz, there has been a great
| demand for everything with a roof on
| it this fall. There will be some little
| speculation in real estate this coming
| winter, but next spring will see a great
| deal of building done in all residence
sections Of the city. Business has been
fairly good and we look with great
hopes to the future"
'I look for somewhat of a revival IN
real estate values this fall and winter"
| said j. l. Farley. We have seen quite
| stiffening of prices brought about
! by ready market for anything that
was offered at sacrifice prices. There
is disposition on the part of the ST.
| Paul people to again buy, and this I
think, can be looked upon as a founda-
ton OF a good market during the
months to come. Minnesota farm prop
! erty has been In good demand of late.
L have had several Iowa customers who
sold out their farms down there and
| came to Minnesota with a view to To-
eating in this state They received
from $50 to $50 per acre, and here they
can buy for about one-fourth that.
property that is equally desirable for
agricultural purposes"
The bureau of labor has tust COM
Melted a nf O,.k--
closures in the First congressional dis
trict for the past twenty-nine years.
This district shows the greatest i'm
provement in agricultural conditions
OF any equal section in Minnesota, and
probably in the United States If not
of the world. Complete data OF all
foreclosures were tabulated from 1880
to 1897, and less complete data from the
organization of the state until 1880
This later Is, however, sufficient to
show the relative amount of foreclos-
ures In the earlier years OF Minnesota
history.
OF the years since 1880, the heaviest
foreclosures were in 1881. In that year
there were 535 foreclosures on acre
property of farm realty, and 95 on
city or village lots. From that time
until 1896 there was a continuous de-
cline OF foreclosures on farm lands.
In that year there were only 81 fore
closures on farm lands. or only one
fiftieth as many as sixteen years be-
fore. The number Of foreclosures on
city or village lots decreased until
minimum was reached In 1899 Tn the
twelve months of that year there were
only, 81 foreclosures on city lots, or
less than one-third as many as in 1891
The number of foreclosures In 1896 was
S4, and in 1897, 81.
The amount Of the foreclosures on
acre property in 1881 was ST.. 321. while
in 1895 II was only $44, 075. When account
is taken of the great INCREASE in farm
wealth in this district, from 1880 to
1896, it is seen that, comparatively. the
amount Of foreclosures in this district
Is not today over one-twenty- fifth part
OF what 1t was In 1881. This is won
derful progress, but 1t is a progress
resting upon prior advance. The
foreclosures In this district had been