The Washington times., 1909-12-11
Realty Operators Worried
BY the Sale of Houses In
tended for Spring Trade.
OPERATIONS SOLD
BEFORE COMPLETED
Builders Predict Unprecedented
Program for Next Year AS Re-
suit of Present Operations.

Washington realty operators are get
ting worried. There is a reason for #,
and good one.
The Capital is threatened with
famine Of moderate-priced houses for
the spring market Unless some new
operations are started, there probably
will be very few houses of this type
for sale in March and April.
Strange a. it may seem, Washington
Is now marketing the property intended
for its spring real estate trade.
Practically all builders unite in say
ing that Of the operations now half COM
pleted half have been sold,
No Spring Market
The operations. as a whole, will not
be completed for two or three months
hence the indication thai there will be
no spring market. unless new operations
are set on foot.
1t Is the most unique situation with
which the local market was ever con-
fronted. and It bears out the assertions
which have been made during the past
few months that the Capital was ex-
periencing the greatest real estate &C
tivity Of It's history.
In every section OF the city may be
found illustrations OF the fact that prop
erty intended for the spring market Is
now playing big part In the winters
trade.
For instg6ce, on Twenty-seventh
street, just south of Cathedral avenue.
in WOodley Park, twelve houses are be
ing constructed by Middaugh & Shan
non, which are only half completed The
entire operations have been sold to in
dividual buyers through Shannon s.
LuChs.
More Than Half Sold
or eighteen houses being built on
Cathedral avenue in Woodley Park by
the same firm, which. also. are only
half completed. more than half have
been sold through Shannon & Luchs.
I. T.. Breuninger is conducting an
operation ON Cathedral avenue and
Twenty-eighth street. which was in
tended for the spring market. However
a number OF these houses have already
been sold, ana indications are Mr.
Breuninger viii not have any Of them
left by spring.
When the realization OF the fact that
the spring operations are being cleaned
up three months IN advance becomes
general. il viii be followed, il is be-
lieved. by an immediate and widespread
commencement Of plans for a new
building program for the spring market
Evidences Of this are forthcoming
already. II Is said a new building opera
tor, who has been connected with the
local market a comparatively short time,
IS preparing 10 construct thirty-flve
houses on the three sides OF the square
facing Florida avenue. Seventh and
Eighth streets northeast. The l. street
side Of the block already has been built
up largely. The houses viii run from
$3.50 20 $3.50 in cost. and it is the In
tCntiOn 10 have them completed and on
the market by spring.
Northeast to Figure.
That the northeast section viii figure
largely IN the new building operations
Is believed TO be assured
Notwithstanding the weather was less
favorable, the demand for moderate
priced houses this week. II is said. has
been as active as It was last week, and
a large percentage Of the sales repre-
scented the transfer Of property which
VIII not be ready for occupancy for
several weeks.
Builders are Of The opinion that the
operations 20 be planned and set on foot
during the next two or three weeks will
largely determine The amount Of prop
erty that viii be available for sale dur
ing the early spring.
Property. generally, this week met
with an active demand and the various
realty houses report having made an
average number Of sales.