Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-29
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Selecting Plans With the View Of
Securing Comfortable Homes.
UTILITY vs.. OBSERVATIONS DISPLAY
Phases of the Present Condition
Of the Realty Market.
V A RIOU $ M A T T E r S

At this time Of the year, when people who
contemplate building houses for their own
uses are thinking about plans and trying
to make up their minds about the various
details of construction and arrangement it
is interesting to note the difference in opin-
ions on the subject Broadly speaking,
there seem to be two classes of house build
ers-those who have in mind at all stages
of the process the appearance of the new
structure and those who regard principally
its use. The former class is anxious 10
know how the house is going to compare
with its neghbor5. They want it to look
as if it cost as much as any house in the
vicinity, and are determined that it shall
have what is known as stylish air
With such persons other features of the
plan are apparently matters Of Indifference,
or Of such embarrassing detail that they
may be sacrificed if necessary. Then. aga n,
there are people who want to be certain
that the new house is going to be entirely
livabe: that the walls will be thick and
substantially laid as to exclude far
practicable the cold in winter and the heat
in summer. Furthermore, they are solc-
touS about the interior arrangements.
Adapted to the Climate.
where for at least six months in the year
summer or mid weather prevails. and
where there must also be some recognition
of the season Of hot weather. 1t is thought
this latter can be accomplished best by pro-
viding for a thorough system Of openings
extending through the hOu as 10 give
free sweep to the air. In order to do this
many features which are supposed to he
absolutely necessary IN modern house
q To he crit paH hI1f al. rF,-g,,
are not likely to arise very often if the pros
pective builder starts out with the idea that
he wants house for use and comfort,
rather than for mere show and ostentation.
1t is this wide separation in the point If
view as to the real purpose Of house thu,
causes people to have erroneous ideas of
the profession Of architecture Some think
those who in this line Of business are
intent only III carrying out their ideas and
imposing them on their clients instead of
trying TO grasp the wishes of the house
builder and endeaVoring TO give expression
to them. 1t is in the interest of the client
for he architect to point out the exjrav-
agance Of trying to cheaper construct on in
order to get mere effect In the course Of A
few years such building becomes a shabby
pretense and an endless expense to main
tain.
Use rs Against Ornament.
1t is also in line with proper professional
advice to try to induce the client to avoid
the pitfalls presented by some of the inte-
ror devices of the modern house which
serve to render the interior stuffy and inter
fere with ventilation. However, after point
ing out objections to features that will tend
to sacrifice the utility Of a home to its or
nament. and the house builder is still Of the
same mind, then, of course, the architect
carries out the will of his employer
There illustrations in abundance in
this city where designs from men at the
mead OF the profession show evidences of
wh.ms, Of the people who had the houses
built. AS 1t is their money that Is being
spent, it is concluded naturally that they
nave the best right to say how it is to be
spent AT the same time the result is rec
ogniZed as a mistake, and no doubt the
householder realizes that also as well as
those who look upon the exterior effects
merely.
There is another class of errors IN hous.
designing which IS noticeable here and
which arises principally because the author
OF the design Is man who Is not a resident
of this city, but has been chosen because of
a deserved reputation which he has gained
by work in other localities. He has not had
the opportunity to study local conditions
and his design thus made Is often inappro-
PIRATE and out OF harmony. Such a result
not only does not give artistic satisfaction
but the house is lacking in the comfort
which Is expected In a home.
Opportunities for Investment.
An inquiry that a good many residents OF
Washington hear at this season of the year
is In regard TO the value of real estate In
and near the city. Such requests for in
formation come, as a rule, from people
who are here perhaps for the winter or for
few weeks. in accordance with their an
nual custom. or who are possibly in the city
for the first time. 1t often happens that
after an experience OF a residence here the
majority of persons. II Trey can accommo-
date their personal affairs to such a change
decide to make this city Their permanent
home and naturally their first thought Is
to own residence. 1t may be SAID wheth-
er they intend to buy land and build or buy
house. that the opportunities offered at
this time are extremely favorable.
Current prices are looked upon as mod
crate. Speak ng generally Of the market
while the scale of prices does not show
material cheapening In values, still there
is manifest on the part Of owners dispo-
sition to take fair profit rather than to
hold for some improbable condit: on Of the
market. In addition to the demand for
residence property the class of investment
seekers Is steadily increasing, and income
producing properties find a ready market.
Other forms of investment are bring ng
such small returns that peope. espec ally
those of limited means find 1t necessary to
seek such yield high a rate of inter-
est as is compatible with a reasonable de-
gree Of safety. The realty of the District
both in its present condition and It's future
pros poets, presents to such a class chances
which are readily appreciated.
New Subdivision.
Moore & Hill. as agents for owners. are
subdividing a portion of the David Moore
tract, consisting of about thirty acres,
situated between T and V streets and Lin
coin avenue and 81 street northwest This
tract is about the only one IN this section
that has not been subdivided, and Is an
other stride in this fast-improving section.
The new subdivision will be known as
Moore & Barbour's addition to Washing
ton. 1t is the owners intention to improve
a part of this tract by the erection Of
twelve handsome residences on u street be-
tween North Capitol and LIST streets. These
houses will be two stories with attic and
have the latest modern conveniences
BEGINNING at Home.