Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-08
HOUSES AND FLATS WANTED
People Rapidly Becoming Settled for
the Coming Winter.
NO CHANGES IN RENT VALUES
Home Buyer is Also Factor in the
Market-Demand and
the Supply.

Washington as city Of homes is very
much in evidence just now, for the reason
| that it is at this period of the year more
than any other that people arrange their
domestic affairs for the year, that is, as
far as it is necessary to do anything about
their houses. The owners OF houses at
this time call upon the paper hanger, the
painter and the plumber for such changes
and improvements as they may desire,
while they search the furniture stores for
articles to replace what has become worn
is needed to meet new wants.
Those who don't own houses or have moi
made a selection begin to study the rent
sheets Of real estate brokers and to haunt
the offices where they have the as
sistance of the experience and knowledge
of the broker and his corps of assistants.
According to the statements of some of the
brokers the full tide of the fall rental bust
ness is now on, while others say that IL
began some time in August
An Early Start.
Up to within the past year or SO the
LIST of September always marked the open
ing of the rental season, but such has been
the demand for house accommodation that
last year and this year the inquiries began
early in the summer and the business OF
renting houses went briskly on throughout
the warm months. SO that when the first
day of fall came the lists of the brokers
were materially reduced in size.
1t seems to be the opinion this year that
the demand for apartments and for houses
did not begin quite so early as ~as the
case last year, but the prospect seems to
be that II will be quite equal to what X was
last fall. There has been no reduction in
rents, and the supply of vacant suites ano
vacant houses has been the lowest IN years
In spite Of the Increase In the number or
buildings this condition of the market Is
taken to mean that the population fas
grown, and, as far as known, the growth
is continuing.
Tendency to Overbuild.
It has been the apprehension all along
that the city was being over-built espe-
cially in the line of apartment houses. thus
far there has been no clear indication OF
such a condition. In the event the close OF
the present rental season shows a supply
of vacant houses and apartments, some
conclusion may be formed on this subject
that will have at least the value Of being
based on facts. Owing to various oohoi-
lions the amount of building done during
the past year has not equaled the record
of last year, which has undoubtedly given
strength to the market and kept In check
the tendency to overdo
Another circumstance that has served TO
help the rental market has been the with
drawal of large number of houses from
that section of the market in order that
they might be sold. The demand from
people who want to own their own homes
has without doubt been the feature of the
realty situation for the past few years. and
it's continuance is indicated by the addition
to the number of such houses and the sue
cess which Is met with in disposing OF
them.
Number of Home Buyers.
It is the belief of brokers who are In
the midst of active trading and are there
fore In a position to know the character
of the market, that the supply of home
buyers has been by no means exhausted.
In fact, it is said that for a certain class
of house. say one that contains seven rooms
and sells for about $1,000. there is MOI
enough to meet the demand. OF course, II
may be said that the supply of homes at
a moderate price, to a certain extent, never
at any time equals the demand, for there
are more people who want that class OF
house than any other and at the same time
it is difficult to find the ground and to build
a house that can be put on the market a.
that price.
1t is, however, a good indication of the
condition of the market that nof, after 8
year or two of active home buying, the
movement Is not yet finished and there
are still additions being made to the army
of people who already own their homes or
are in the process of acquiring them. AS
far as known the inflow of population into
this city is still going on, and ii seems like
ly that it is going to continue, for every
year the attractions of the city increase
and the inducements to people to make their
homes here are becoming more widely
known.