Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-25

ulators to be taking lengthy vacations. The
effect of these long holidays Is already hay
ing two-edged effect. With practically
lifeless market prices must perforce of
necessity sag a little. Thus far there has
not been fall enough to make any material
difference in the values. few more days
of present conditions, however. are sure to
have effect A tagging market will then
present to the watchful investor opportuni-
ties that he could not have had under the
conditions that have governed here In the
past few months, when property of all de-
scription was held at top-notch prices.
Some few of the sales made during the
winter and spring were at prices that were
beyond any sort of reason.
The values were illogical and the infla-
ton in one or two instances only little
short of illegitimate. Despite the largesse
sales far-seeing brokers did not regard
them with favor, especially when such Sales
had to d9 with business properties.
Percentage Of Profit.
The merchant has to have reasonable
percentage Of profit when he buys prop
erty for business purposes, and when he
does not get this percentage he is converted
into sore-head and will sometimes &C
compish anything but happy results with
his tales of discomfort and small profits.
The wise broker desires to sell on an eQui-
table basis because he knows that he Is
going to be one of the first to suffer from
unreasonable and undue imitation of values.
In many instances the values were not in
keeping with the conditions of trade and
the general business interests Of the COM
munfty. In the desire to make this city a
residential headquarters not few business
men had been attracted here and they
found after experiments that there was not
so large field as they had reason to be-
lieve upon the representations made to
them by numerously realty dealers. Then,
again. their desire to come here and 10
cate was oftener than otherwise largely in
6,rn I'D hrya C,,4
tages to be had.
But up to within the last few months in
some localities the price of realty was in
advance of what it probably should have
BEEN The capital, with all its charms as
place of residence and social environ
ments. did not have the industrial future
which some cities of not large a popula-
ton unquestionably could have offered.
Hence the claim that in many instances
the values not only above par so far
as it is possible to make the market, but at
high premium. Whether this be true or
not the fan remains that the prices of
properties all over the city, not only in the
business district, but in the residential
and suburban field, now not only not
eXorbtant, but, the other hand, on
fair basis.
Ldll in the Market
The lull in the market and the undena-
BILE future of the capital on It's new line Of
procedure in the effort to attract CONNER
cial and industrial concerns of all descrip-
tions has brought about a very material
change. AS the capital is undoubtedly
going to become very much more impor-
tant business center and manufacture
ing headquarters, with jobbing side lines,
there does not seem to be any reason what
soever why there should not have been a
recent advance in all values. Such is not
the case. however. and dealers and brokers
all over town say that they regard prop
erty under present conditions as being
cheaper than it has been at any time for
the past ten years.
IF it was not foregone conclusion"
one broker said, that Washington was
which it never had before in it's history,
l would be willing to concede that prices
were high AS matters stand, however, l
claim most insistently that real estete In
vestments here today are very stable and
as promising an investment any man or
woman other than those of gambling pro-
pensities would want. We are awakening
from a lethargy which has done much to
handicap us for several years and every
thing points to a greater future prosperity
and business activity. Hence l FOR one
claim that nearly all the property in and
around Washington that is in the market
can be had at a fair price. OF course, every
broker is going to get as much he can,
but it is easy enough for buyer to strike
an average. and when he strikes that
average he will find that properties here
not at all exorbitant, all things consid-
cred l think the market this fall is going
who have sense enough to put their money
in real estate are people usually of more
than ordinary intelligence, who know how
to take care of themselves"
Good Time for Buying.
1t is regarded as doubtful If a better time
has been presented for buying property in