The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-19
n Real Estate Circles.

Now is unquestionably the time to buy
real estate in the city of ST. Paul. 1t Is
cheap, and is bound to rise. and, whether
bought for use or speculative purposes, 1T
viii be long indeed before property can
be had at the figures it Is selling Tor now.
Cheap property is nearly all sold and the
field is cleared of nearly every impede
ment and the better class of investments
are lust on the verge of a rise, and by
the time the snow is gone all the prop
erty in the city will be visibly affected.
The inclemency of the weather of the
past month has only retarded the coming
of higher prices; not stopped 1t. To even
a casual observer one of the best signs,
from a real estate standpoint is the con-
dtion Of the wholesale district. 1t was
not long ago that a citizen was ashamed
TO take stranger into that part of the
city. because OF it's deserted and forlorn
appearance. Large warehouses stood va
cant and huge posters ornamented the
fronts of empty stores. That condition
has changed. and that part of the city
presents a changed appearance, so much
so that there are scarcely half dozen
uuoccupied buildings In that neighbor-
hood. and when that section of the city
is prosperous the rest of it ought to be
ou Easy street
The conversation of the real estate
men has assumed a most hopeful tone.
and. With very few exceptions. predict
an excellent market and better prices for
the future Several who were seen yes
terday expressed themselves as follows:
George B. Whitehorn said: Business
is very good. Property is being with
drawn from the enlistment as many buy
ers. anticipating the market, are holding
out for a raise. All that is needed is that
the snow should go to have an active
market upon us. The weather has been
so Indictment that there has not been as
much business in the past week or two
as there otherwise would, but even the
weather could not entirely prevent in
VeStmentS. when they can be made at
such ridiculously low prices. There Is a
strong demand for building lots, and
can already detect a speculative interest
in the market. There will be more dwell
ing houses built than in any spring for
years past
Mr.. Bayard, of Bayard, Deuel. & Co,
said: The real estate market has been
somewhat backward because Of the
weather, but the prospects for lively
season are excellent. During last year
there was little else than lots and houses
sold, but this year 1t is broadening out
and compromising all kinds of property.
There is an especial demand for lots for
building purposes, and there will be
twice as much building this year as last
year. or for several years. There is some
little speculation just setting in, of which
there was none last year There is
good demand for both residential proper
ty and income paying property, but out
side capital will have to invest in bust
ness property before our local men do"
V. J. Rothschild said: There is a IA
vorable outlook for a good market 1t
has not been so good since 1888 as 1t is
now. Inquiry for property is many times
greater than at any time since 'SS, and
people are backing up their inquiries by
good propositions and actual purchases
in property. The largest percentage of
buying is in investments for income, next
To that people are buying homes or lots
on which to build. The speculative fea-
ture which is always last, is just begin
ming, another pointed indication of i'm
provement Is the very sudden disappear
ance of snaps that have been in the mar
ket for several years past without talk
erS
Rents are increasing and there is a
big demand for what few houses agents
have on hand to offer. If any one could
have access to newspapers of a year ago
and compare them with today they
would find that the agents had four times
as many houses to rent then as they
have now. Second and third floors ware
rooms and lofts all over town are rented
and are filing up
- Lee Hall said: MANY people who are
looking for investments want to buy
cheap homes and residence lots and re-
Gently have begun buying for specula-
tive purposes. The Merriam farm on the
Saltwater road of 2SS acres, which sold
for $4,000, was bought for a speculative
purpose. Yes, I think there are plenty of
snaps yet in the market but they are
being sold rapidly. l do not think there
will be very much done in a real estate
way this year, but next years success
there be no doubt of. At present ev-
erything that is sold is sold cheap I
know of a number of people who are
selling off their stocks to invest in real
estate. There has been some advance in
different parts OF the city, for instance,
property south of Grand avenue and east