Evening star., 1899-03-18
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
The Local Market Shows Evidences
Of Reviving Activity.
DEMAND FOR BUILDING Sites
Regulations in Regard to the Sub
division of Land.
SOME NEW BUILDIN GS


A more cheerful tone is noticed among
real estate dealers. and it may be said the
prospects of the market are brighter than
has been the case since the squirt of last
fall. 1t appears that inquiries for property
of various kinds now being made by
people who not only have the money, but
the desire and the intention to buy. The
sales thus far made are largely of building
sites to people who desire to erect homes
for themselves.
1t is expected as result of the buying
which is now going on and which will be
completed in the near future that a good
many new houses will be erected during the
coming season. For some time past the prac-
tice has been in vogue here of buying
houses that have been built for sale instead
| of individuals choosing "a lot in some local
ity that suited and building their own
houses In the opinion of some people
much of the individuality and the variety
| in the domestic architecture of this city,
Whlch Is one OF the features that strangers
remark upon, is due to the fact that people
build their own homes instead of getting
them ready-made.
For Investment Purposes.
1t is thought there is an indication that
this season will mark Il return to this prac-
tice, which, while Il has never been aban-
doned, has fallen somewhat into disuse
In addition to the advent of the home build
er in the market it in remarked that the
investor is also in evidence, and that he at
tends auction sales as well as keeps a look
out for opportunities to buy at an adyan-
tage
The purchase of the property at the
northwest corner of 10th and F streets
northwest, which occurred during the week,
was purely an investment and the buyer
before making the deal had made his ar
rangements for the improvement ot the
property so as to make it yield a good
turn upon the money invested. 1t is also
said the owner of another piece of business
property recently received an offer for it
which was far in advance of what he had
paid for it and which would have been con-
sidered good price some years ago.
Choosing a Home Site.
It is thought by some that the prices of
unimproved property in the city are too
high, but as that is matter which is reg
ulated entirely by the market 1t is argued
that it is not a question profitable to dis
cuss. There is so much land inside and out
side Of the city which is available for build
ing purposes. that the natural competition
will, it is believed, largely determine the
market prices. Owners cannot get more
than the current price.
Sometimes 1T happens that certain locali-
ties are looked upon as more desirable than
others, and this fact constitutes an element
in fixing the price. If it was not for the
differences in taste all the building sites in
the movement toward the suburbs began.
AS long however, as human nature remains
it is there is no likelihood of a city de-
veloping after such systematic fashion.
Subdivisions of Land.
The order issued during the week by the
District Commissioners in regard to the
subdivisions of land was a consolidation of
the various orders and changes which have
been made for some time past. The regula-
ton. which provides that lots may be re-
subdivided into lots not less than sixteen
feet wide, is continued with the further pro-
viso that when, after laying off a tract
into sixteen-foot lots, surplus is left not
less than twelve feet wide, such surplus
may be numbered as a lot.
The original regulation was intended to
prevent the increase in the number of lots
with narrow fronts, as 1t was believed such
a practice. if it became at all general, would
affect the healthfulness of the city. For
sanitary reasons mainly this rule was
adopted, as was also the one which requires
some space in the rear of residences and
prevents the occupation of the entire depth
of lot unless there is an alley in the rear.
Provision is also made for doing away with
the confusion arising from giving different
names to the portions of the same street
when 1t happened that they were not in di-
rect continuation of each other by directing
that the name of the city street should ap-
ply to the entire length.
Suburban Settlement.
The building of the extension of the Co.
lumbia railway, which is now in progress,
has had the effect of drawing attention to
the general locality along the Benning road
as place of residence. This is especially
noticeable in the subdivision of Nenilworth,
where there is already quite a colony of
Washington people. Houses are now being
erected or plans have been prepared for the
erection of houses for the following: Arthur
l.. Lindsay, James b. Homes, Mr.. Ragsdale,
Mr.. Shackles, Mr.. Miller, Mrs Baxter, Mr..
Susan and Mr.. Simmons. The following
own houses there and live there: Mr.. Jas.
Voorhees,, Mr.. Walter 3. Shaw. Mr. John T.
Clark, John G. Hlnkle, Mr.. r. n. Baylis.
Mr.. James NJ. Fowler sr., MIR. ]. Marion
Fowler jr., Mr.. James II. Larnhardt Mr..
William H. Ellis, Mr.. John d. Clark Mr..
L, d. Hayes, Mr.. r. Q. Ryder Mr.. Allen
W. Mallery.
A Comfortable Home.
Ground has been broken for the erection
of residence by Mr.. Edward J. Stellwagen
at the northwest corner of Columbia road
and Baltimore street. Although the house
will be spacious. the frontage being 45 feet,
yet such are the generous proportions of
the lot that there will be lawn space on
each side. The style adopted by the archi-
teet, Mr. l.. L. DesseZ, in the design is that
of the Romanesque, and the house will be
a good example of the plain yet substan-
tial character of that school. Red brick
will be used mainly in the construction of
the fronts. There will be rooms on each
side of the entrance hall, and the latter
will open into the staircase hall, from
which there will be access TO the library
and the dining room. The latter will be a
room of fine proportions. being some thirty
feet long and eighteen feet wide. The To-
cation of the house overlooks three streets,
and 1t has an elevated position, command
ing view of the valley of Rock creek. The
design therefore has been adapted so as
to utilize these fine natural features.
Apartment Houses.
George NJ. Kober will build an apartment
house at 1908 10Th street that will extend
with an L through TO Q street. The main
section is to have a frontage of forty feet
and a depth of 100 feet, and is to be four