Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-05

and their aim is to provide 1t. They do
not lose sight of the further condition that
the average man, in addition to an ambition
to owning his own house, also wants one
that looks well and compares favorably
with his neighbours, not only those in the
immediate locality, but also in any part of
the city.
To satisfy the modern demand for a
dwelling house 1t is quite evident that 1t
must be thoroughly up TO date and with all
the features which are to be found in the
best-eQuipped houses of whatever the grade.
In fact, so thoroughly Is this understood
and to such extent is 1t carried out that
an inspection of houses offered for sale Is
apt to fill one with surprise that 1t Is posi-
BILE to give as much for such small
amount of money as the asking price fndl-
Gates. The comparison between the house
and it's fittings and the price asked is rather
impressive, and so the conclusion is reached
that the modern purchaser of a home is
getting more for his money than was ever
possible before in this or in any other mar
ket.
As to Vacant Ground.
OWNS to the condition that the average
man buys a house rather than builds, for
the reason that he is saving money by so
doing, it Is evident another change has
taken place in the market and that the de-
mand for vacant ground, or. perhaps, 1t
would be better to say for single building
lots, Is not what it used to be. The number
of possible purchasers has evidently dimin-
ished by the withdrawal of those who for
merly built their own homes.
Within the limits of the city the market
for vs.cant ground especially If 1t be only
small frontage, has been narrowed to
those who prefer to build their homes and
there will always be numbers of such peo-
pie. 1t is evident that there are not as
many as used to be the case. In the event
the vacant ground has wide frontage and
is coed sized then 1t comes in the market
as a site for an apartment house or for
some other structure that can be made use
full.
The Demand Rather Limited.
It is the experience that a marked change
has taken place in the market for vacant
land within what might be called the city
limits. This has been attributed in part
to the slowness Of the recovery from the
slumI, which took place a few years ago
and from which the balance of the market
recovered some time ago. It Is the general
opinion that the demand for vacant or IN
improved property is not feature of the
market and has not been for some time
past. Where there are considerable blocks
TO be had, providing for several houses, 1t
is found that purchasers can be found and
that such ground is used as sites for houses.
Unless something can be done with the
ground in the way of improvement there
doesn't seem to be much Of a market for it.
In other words, the speculative character
Of unimproved property, except, Of course,
in the suburbs, is now very little in evidence
in connection with city property pure and
simple.
Better Houses for the Money
This state of things is not of recent origin
especially. 1t has been true of the market
for some time past and It is probably due
to this that ground has been either station
airy IN value or else has actually decreased.
To this may also be attributed to some ex-
tent a least the change in the style of
building houses which has brought about
the use of lots of wider fronts than has
heretofore been common. More land Is oc-
cupied by each house and yet building ma
terials labor and the various items that
enter into the cost of building have advanc-
ed i'm cost. Still it II believed that larger
and better houses for the money can he had
now than at any other recent period in the
history of the city.
Whatever the effect on the land values or
on individual house building the changes
indicated have brought about, there IS one
thing that Is OF the highest Importance
and that IS the number of home owners is
increasing. even when the growth OF the
population Is taken into consideration. The
substantial progress made by this city dur
ing the past few years has no stronger evil
deDce than IS to be found In the new homes
that have sprung up. in such large numbers
in all sections of the city and in the sub
urbs. and in the further fact that these
homes are for the most part owned by the
people who occupy them.
Features of Building.
1t IS hard to conceive of building. big