The Washington times., 1903-08-30
Unusual Demand for Dwell
ings at Moderate Rent by
People Who Have Been
Compelled to Abandon
Their Homes.
Building Operations Fairly
Brisk, With Prospect Of
Increasing Activity as the
Season Advances.

There is every reason to expect I'M
usual activity In the real estate mar
ket and in building operations in the
coming fall and winter. In this connec-
ton it may also be stated that the real
estate brokers who also carry on a
business of renting houses are kept
busy supplying the demand for moder
ate priced dwellings.
These conditions are attributable to
two cause.-the unhousing of so many
persons in making room for the pro-
posed railway station, increasing the
freight facilities of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company, the removal of
buildings from the site of the structure
for committee rooms for the House of
Representatives, and the desire of per-
sons compelled TO move to get other
homes either by renting or building. 1t
also may be said here that the owners
of property in the square which has
been selected for the Hall of Records
are also looking out for new homes.
All these circumstances and conditions
conspire to show the cause of the early
activity in the real estate market and
building operations.
Seeking Homes in Suburbs.
Aside from the causes referred to 1t
is noticeable that there is tendency
among home seekers to purchase or
build small dwellings in the suburbs OF
Washington. In a majority of instances
where the home seeker builds. the struc-
ture is a frame building. The cost Of
building a brick house and a frame
house OF equal size is greatly in favor
OF the latter. while the comfort and con-
venienees are not dimished TO any no.
fee of the Inspector of Buildings show
that within the past week the permits
issued for the construction Of small
buildings far exceed in number those
granted for the erection OF large DuiId-
ings.
Many OF the families who were COM
PEELED to move because their homes
were on the land wanted for the union
station and the House of Representa-
tiyes committee rooms building, took
advantage OF the season and moved TO
the suburbs or left the District for the
summer. These VIII soon return to
Washington. and how TO house these
properly and comfortably is giving the
real estate brokers no little concern.
In addition to the class referred to. the
great number OF people who Will come
to Washington about the beginning of
the next session Of Congress must be
provided with homes.
Want Homes Of Their Own.
1t is true. they can be well cared for
IN the numerous apartment houses, but
II is known that the great majority OF
persons. particularly heads OF families,
desire a home of their own and sooner
or later get il. So II is that at pres
ent there is a greater demand for houses
to rent than at the same season in pre-
vious years.
In some sections of the city this hunt
for winter houses has begun already.
Houses near completion are rented ahead
OF time with provisions IN the contracts
that the houses will be ready for oc-
cupancy by a stated time. Many per-
sons who generally take their vacations
in the latter part OF the summer sea.
son have also adopted this plan and have
Z prepared everything for moving at the
beginning of the fall term. Builders anC
realty dealers also say that there is lit
tie trouble in disposing of a house wher
partly finished. especially If IL is In &
desirable neighborhood- This condition
has called attention 10 a probable In
crease in rents IN the coming season
: For the permanent resident the building
association plan is suggested as better
in the long run than renting.
Large Deals in Realty.
Recently there have been several large
deals in real estate, and in each instance
the intention of the purchasers is IN
deTstoOd TO be to improve the property
by building. The largest OF these deals
was probably the purchase from Arthur
z. Randle of 5000. COO square feet OF
land by the United States Realty Com
pany at cost of nearly $500. 600 1t was
that it is not the intention Of the realty
company to put the land on the market
for sale, but 10 improve il by the cree
ton Of dwellings and business houses.
The tract Of land fronting on Tennes-
zee Avenue, Z and Fifteenth Streets
northeast also changed hands last week
The price paid for the land was, how
ever. not made public. 1t is understood
that the entire block is to be improved
By the erection OF houses and TO be
placed on the market at reasonable