The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-13
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of property. says Katherine
lxjHHa Louise Smith in The House
keeper She has money that she
feels ought to be safely invested and in
such a manner that profits may accrue.
She knows that all around her are people
clamoring for money, and even her friends
may have ''axes to grind" Others may
lack judgment. for in lending money pecu-
liar sagacity is required. In this dilemma
IL is well TO leave the money in the bank
until a irst-class opportunity arrives.
When this does. she must investigate thor
oughly. for it is better to leave her money
In the bank at small rate of interest
than TO run the risk of losing it.
The following are some of the rules sug-
gested by a careful business man regard
ing the leaning of money:
Ascertain how much property the appli-
cant has and if in his own his wife's
name
See if the property is in any way encum-
bered either by mortgage, judgments,
taxes. dowries or other liens and if under
mortgage, whether he keeps his payments
up or is behind.
Inquire if he has many loose or floating
debts
See if he is engaged in hazardous specu-
lations or furnishing money to others who
are.
Find out if he is signing with others to
any great extent.
What are his habits morally and finan-
cially? Is he going up hill or down? Even
If these are satisfactory the necessary mag
nitude of the margin of safety depending
ON the character of securities will have to
be considered.
The safest fundamental principle with re-
gard To the management of property is to
abstain entirely from speculation and to
confine al! financial operations to regular
and well-knOwn forms of investment. Per-
sons whose income al the rate of or 8
per cent. Is ample for reasonable desires
should be content
For the purpose of discussing the general
principles of investment they can be di-
vided into two classes: First, the class in
which investors become absolute owners.
This would include real estate and govern
ment bonds. Second. the class in which
investors advance money upon the promise
that the money Will be returned with in
terest, and the borrower gives security, as
a mortgage.
In regard TO the first method of invest
ment the general rule is that United States
bonds are safe investments, as are the
bonds OF most of the States but one should
hesitate in investing in the bonds of coun-
ties. towns and villages. from the stand
point of the greatest caution, for while
many such places have without delay full
filled their financial obligations. there have
been cases where the reverse has been true
In considering investments in bonds the
past financial history of the particular
State or city, the amount of indebtedness
10 which that place is liable. and the peo-
pie who make up the community and make
the laws upon which the safety of such in
vestmentS depend. should all be taken into
account As rule bonds which return low
rates of interest can be safely handled and
can be clasSed among such Conveniences as
savings banks for the safe keeping and OBJ
tanning OF interest on money until a more
permanent form of investment presents it,
self.
If the question of interest is of no i'm
mediate moment and the woman wants a
nNed Investment. something sure and sta
BILE. she may find real estate preferable A
woman contemplating an investment of
this order should have the title carefully
examined by a competent abstractor or at
tOrney. She must not take II for granted
that the title is perfect simply because
people have lived in one house for years
may be personally known 10 her The
number OF irregular titles is astounding
and examinations OF records show that
many honest people have lived in a house
for years totally unconscious that there
was any question as 10 validity of title.
During recent years there have come
into existence corporation whose business
Is tG examine real estate and 10 guarantee
the titles of the purchasers and mortgage
ors. These companies furnish written
guarantees to the effect that if the title
shall prove defective they will make good
the losses. The difference in expense be-
lawyer is trivial.
Properly speaking. a deed is any con-
tract which shall be sealed and delivered
bN the pdIllcSf Out III our country the word
has come 10 signify the instrument by
which real property is conveyed The
leEal requisites fer its validity are: Per
sons OF proper age and sufficient under
standing: writings upon paper or parch-
ment; legally sufficient consideration: thor
ough knowledge OF the contents by both
parties. proper attestation and delivery
Even II she has reason TO suppose these
things are carried out. il is we'll for a
woman carefully 10 examine the descrip-
ton OF the property and to see that the
premises 10 be conveyed are accurately
described, Tor law suits have grown out
Of careless descriptions especially where the
property mentioned Is miles distant III is
the possible contingencies that must be
guarded against for II IS better TO be too