The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-21

Contractors and Architects Follow Up Agitation that Will
Benefit Homeseekers-Real Estate Never Will Be
Cheaper; Rents Are Advancing and Materials Will
Never Cost Less.

81 INTERVIEWS published in last
FL Sundays Journal, voicing the
opinion of real estate men that
there will be no time like the present
to build, have aroused much interest
among the members Of the class which
these views were intended to reach.
The Journal has received COM
munlcations from readers4on the subject
showing an interest that bids fair to
lind result next summer in the erection
of many cosy homes.
The allied subject Of rentals was also
touched upon by the agents interviewed
showing that rentals were upward in
their trend. A briskness occasioned by
the constant arrival Of a population that
has not yet anchored, or which: has not
! yet determined definitely to make homes
in Minneapolis, has had the effect of
practically closing the market, and at
the same time of causing rents to adj
vance. ~.
Three strong points were brought out
IN the interviews showing: H.
Real estate is comparatively cheap
now, and will in all probability never
be cheaper. s'>s:s { FL
Cost Of building is subject to natural
conditions which initiate against any
decrease : =
Rents have advanced to an equal, or
greater, degree than the cost OF build
ing: -, '.'- ''*~' '3' ''.' '' ,''. va > ~
These points were made by real estate
men. Below are printed statements
from interviews with architects, con-
tractors and general construction men
that go to show, from different stand
point, that the present is the time to
build. .....-
Do It Now; Never Regret.
John 'Wunder, contractor and builder
AS to the desirability Of construction
Of the not over large and yet economi
cal homes, there can be but little doubt
that any person contemplating such a
building makes no mistake in placing
his contract at this time; in fact, should
he not do 50 he is likely in the future
to. regret it. Newspaper articles read
SO that he who runs may see for him
self the growing scarcity of every class
OF wood: Not month passes without
some slight increase--in their value
Well laid plans and careful attention tt
the, small details of necessary space t.
be. occupied, in themselves, always hell
2 to- cut down these advancing values K
the prospective builder Hence, today
such a one gets for his money not s.
much in bulk in the way of home, bu
more in the way Of cozy living place
In regard to the central, inside build
ing proposition, Mr.Wunder says: "a
to present advantages, in buildings cen
trally located, or inside business prop
erty, there can be no question Of tn
good results to accrue from imme dat,
improvements, such as an ability tt
connect up closely with all municipa
improvements and with the rapidly en-
HANGING value Of real estate, making the
property amply secure from loan point
of view, hence! projects; larel now easily
carried out. Reinforced concrete in
teriors within good brick walls, vel
lighted and heated:9and with modern
plumbing, will easily produce from Il
to 20 per cent on the investment fo1
many years to come. What better
! should the builder or, the capitalist asl
for his investment -,.,>
| "In a general way" said G.. F. Hag
lin, building material will increas,
enormously in the next twelve months
Structural steel is sure to increase il
value. Beams specified May 8 did no
get in Minneapolis until last week
showing that there is not q prompt de
livery; labor I think is stationary
Get Busy Before Rush.
| G. A. P. Turner, concrete and stee
construction engineer: t'Get busy witt
plans at once for the reason that befor
the rush for spring work begins con
tractors will be looking for business
There is no prospect of lower prices il
the material and steel market; this ap
plies as well, to cement. People shout
build at once, for concrete construction
can be-put up in cold weather as well a
warm; timber, of course, is going ul
cement is reasonable, steel above wha
: it has been year ago by Is or IS pc
cent, but not at the same time exces
e sively high. Dom look for a .dro1
! You can do no better at the" end of til
year than now, and YOU may do worse
: Skilled labor is increasing in cost, CT
e ment has advanced 20 cents a barrel i
I the last six months, and there is not tn
|. slightest chance Of it's becoming lower
a ". G.: Pike of Pike & Cook, builder
s said: There is no present indicatio
= ~. - =. E-..5 q y -