Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-23
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
An Addition to Modern Style
Banking Buildings.
THE BUSINESS FACILITIES
Real Estate as an Investment Compar-
ed With Stocks.
HOME BUYING IN WASHINGTON
Advantages and Opportunities Offered
to Those Willing to Buy In
stead of Paying Rent.
HOME BUYING IN WASHINGTON

stead or raging Kent.
The new home of the National Metro
politan Bank on 18th street between F
and G streets and opposite the Treasury
Department, has so recently emerged from
behind the screen of 81 affolding that it Is
only now the general public has chance
of seeing what sort of addition this build
ing is going to be in the financial district
1t .Sretty safe to say those who look
up and take in the broad and striking
facade will come to the conclusion that
the structure Is destined to be one of the
notable examples of good construction as
we'll as pleasing details. The materials
used contribute largely to such an impress
sion for marble of beautiful wilderness
form the exterior walls and also the large
pillars that extend through three stories,
forming sort of loggia as the central
feature Of the design.
While in point of height it seems accord
ing to the tale of the stories. not to cut
very large figure in these days or lofty
skyscrapers, yet the proportions OF the
building are such as to give the effect OF
mass to even seven stories. The upper
stories in order to conform to the ideas of
those who were afraid that the Treasury
building might suffer by the comparison.
does not come out to the main me vi
the building. but retreats from the 'front.'
and Is modestly Withdrawn from the street
exposure.
However. the building has frontage OF
seventy feet and its lines are substantiai
and strong as BETTING the nome ol d
financial institution. The glory of the mar
BILE front in all the purity OF Its freSn
white color constitutes a great charm OF
the structure 1t will probably be a couple
IL tnlyn
session Of its new s3Go,oo0 home. but in
less than half that time the offices In the
upper floors will Ee ready for their occu-
pants.
Choice in Investments.
The present disturbed condition of the
stock market naturally turns the thoughts
of people TO the character of stocks ana
bonds as a desirable and safe form OF IN
vestment of money. At such time when
values seem to be disappearing and nothing
apparently remains of what was once look
ed upon as secure and permanent invest
ment then it seems after all securities DO
not possess those qualities which are ce-
sirabIe 1t is common enough 10 near
people say in comparing the two KINDS OF
Investments that after all iand does NOT
run away or disappear and Whatever map
pens to values you still have the land
The same thing might also be said oil
certificates of stock and bonds. These evil
dences of value. providing they are o"neo
outright remain even after market
shrinkaCc and unless the enterprise proves
to be an entire failure, these paper evil
dences of value can be held in the hope that
some day market can be found LOT thehh.
But after all. the paper representatives OF
value do not have the same sohdlty ana ele-
ment of fixedness that are the feature of
real estate holdings.
Has Staying Qualities.
Real estate can be seen and it's character
as a personal asset can be more readily
crashed than in the case of most any other
species of property. There is feeling of
security about IT, and it is realized, while
changes may take place. the section of the
globe to which title rests in you. cannot go
up in smoke or be wiped off of the face OF
the earth. In addition to this quality of
real estate ownership there must be taken
into account the desire which Is almost so
general as to be called universal to own
something in the way of real property.
Generally speaking. IL a man, or woman
either. for that matter, owns the house
which is coupled as a home. the ambition
In the line of owning property is satisfied.
Such is the prevalence Of this feeling that
II is now. as IL has been for many years.
controlling factor in the real estate mar
ket. Home buying has not only that DIS
tinction in the market generally, but IL is
the characteristic of Washington real es-
tate. The latter has not always been true.
ing their money in real property in this
city. Home buying was almost unknown.
Loans could only be obtained by the pay
ment OF high interest rates. In fact, many
OF the elements of unstable market
could be found in the realty transactions
In this District.
Presence of Investors
The change in all these particulars has
been most radical in character. In respect
70 rat
place in the ranks of the best centers In
this country. For investment purposes
realty here offers opportunities for steady
and regular income. with at the same time
the prospect OF an appreciation in values
The presence In the market here of in
vestors Is by no means new thing They
are contributing to the activity of the mar
ket- Much more could be done with this
class OF property IL owners were not in a
position TO hold on and refuse what appear
to be advantageous offers.
After all il Is the buying of houses that
forms the main factor in the market and
has for years past. 1t Is by all odds the
prime feature of the situation The Int1u-
ence OF such buying extends beyond the
market ITSELF and is felt throughout the
community II means more than merely
the disposition of some property. All the
time people of character who have inter-
ests at stake are being added TO the COM
munity, The man who is buying his home
u NdiudDie ClllLen. and when there
thousands of them The character of the ac-
cessions TO the population OF the city can be
TO some extent appreciated.
Buying Will Continue.
The movement in this direction does not
seem to be over. There are those who are
looking for homes. and II appears an eff
fort will be made during the coming
months to renew the supply of houses. De-
spite the extensive building during the past
year or so, the market did not become
overstoCked All that were ready for use
were taken. and II was not at all uncom-
mon Tor builders 10 sell houses long be-
fore they were finished. 1t is highly prch-
able this movement has Only just started
and the buying of houses VIII continue.
1t is so easy for even persons with mod
crate incomes to make start on the road
that will end In their becoming owners of
the houses in which they live. The first
payment and the regular monthly pay
ments are so arranged to be met with
the greatest ease. TIE prospect OF having
at the end of a certain term a house in
stead OF pile of rent receipts is very at
tractive 10 the average man and woman.
Appeals to the Love of Home.
t., aHI 10 - ~