The Washington herald., 1909-05-16

The local real estate market has
changed very little in the last few weeks.
Property may be said to be selling we'll.
Brokers ind buyers for all the specula-
tive houses being erected in the northern
suburbs and IN other parts Of the Dis
trict, often before completion A new
house has a special claim upon the buyer,
and few families can resist the tempta-
ton TO become the first inhabitants OF a
home when its purchase IS within their
means AS a consequence. Washington
contractors. aided by the real estate
brokers, find no difficulty IN realizing
upon their ventures in building when the
houses are made attractive and are SIT
uated near car lines.
Property Of larger value in the older
portions Of the city. consisting IN many
cases Of houses that have been occupied
for many years and have tender mem
cries associated with them, are also find
ing a market with the out-of-tovn and
local buyers who are constantly on the
lookout for this class Of bargains.
Houses Often RemOdeIed.
Generally the old houses are repaired,
and often remOdeled extensively TO suit
the tastes OF the purchasers. and are oc-
cupied as homes by new set OF people
The list OF sales OF this character this
spring has been a long one, and It was
recently remarked that many OF the old
social circles in the resident parts OF the
city are being intruded upon by the
newcomers. In many cases the new
coners are cheerfuIIy welcomed. but as
always in such cases. Il takes a little
time 10 adjust matters socially. so that
the affairs Of the neighborhood move on
as before
The sale Of unimproved property for
building sites is probably more active IN
Washington at this moment than ever
before More people are getting ready 10
erect the houses Of which they have been
dreaming for years than ever before
Architects are busy preparing plans for
these houses in all parts Of the District,
and contractors are busy with the con-
struCtiOn OF houses already under wav
and others all the time coming on for
bids In all parts Of Washington. and
in all the suburban divisions this class
OF building IS very active this year.
The amount OF money going into such
houses can be reckoned only By millions
Of dollars. and Il constitutes one Of the
largest features Of the growth Of the
city at this time
Building Operations Active.
Building operations are specially active
this month. An early ride in any Of the
cars leading out from the city 70 the
outlying sections, between and S
o'clock in the morning. viii show crowds
OF laborers going frUrn their homes 10
their days work The car load OF peo-
PIE viii be composed OF bricklayers, car
penters, plumbers, painters, and others
engaged upon the Jobs OF new building.
The conversation OF the men in oae Of
these early cars is specially instructive
and diverting, as the men Chaff and jibe
at one another about the rapidity OF slow
ness with which the contractors BY whom
they are hired are getting on with their
contracts. Much news also can be gath
cred in these early morning rides OF what
IS going on in the building line IN various
neighborhoods through which the car
passes
Building IN the business district this
year IS principally remOdeling. though q
few stores, or combination stores and
apartments are being erected i general
tendency IS noticeable 10 put IN new
fronts 10 Old buildings for the purpose Of
showing goods from the inside Door
ways. stairways. and the general improve
ment Of the interiors Is going On very
rapidly n the business district. especially
in that part Of IL where old dwellings are
being metamOTphOsed into places OF bust
ness