The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-04-16
RENTALS AFFECTED
BY COST Of LIVING
One Effect Is That More
Persons Are Buying
Their Homes.
SAVING EFFECTED
SAID TO BE LARGE
Another Result Is That Cheaper
Houses Are Being Built
70 Rent.

That the high cost OF living is begin
ming 70 make It's effect felt on the
Washington real estate market, is the
belief Of some OF the real estate Oper-
Rtors OF the Capital
The effect is felt IN two ways-ways
that. apparently, are diametricaIly op-
posed but which, as analysed by the
real estate dealers, are found 10 receive
their stimulus frOJ- the same source.
One OF them is an increase in the pUr-
chase OF houses. as opposed 10 renting.
The other is the building OF houses Of
fewer improvements. and, therefore,
costing less money.
In the first instance the purchasers
are those who appreciate the economy
OF buying homes. and are endeavoring
70 take advantage OF the unusual pur-
chase terms which a great many Of The
Capitals building firms. by the employ
ment Of cooperative methods, have been
able 70 establish
In the second instance the persons are
persons OF moderate means who, On &C
count Of the decreasing margin between
their earnings and OF expenditures, feel
that they canont buy as deliberately
furnished. homes as formerly. =
Demand for Homes Continues
In either case. dealers assert, the ef-
sect on the market will not be injurious
They declare that the result viii be the
buying Of as many houses as last year,
or. in fact. - any previous year
n an operation -ompleted last week
IN the northwest section dealers say
they have the first evidence OF the ef-
feet of high cost Of living IN the cen
struction of houses This operation con-
slSts of twelve dwellings, which are be
ing sold st S31G1an amount consider
ably less than the price Of Washing
tons average uOderaIe-priCed dwelling
Two factors cor tTlDuted 70 the re-
Guction IN price One WaS the ei1Tn1rla-
ZION o. cellars The other. the narrow
ing OF the width Of the houses 70 fifteen
In practically ali Of washiugtOn's
building operations. OF The past lew
years frontages- have ranged from slN-
Keen feet 70 twenty-five feet vide
Sheds in the rear OF premises, as in
The case of the 500 dwellings, 10
take the place Of cellars, have been
practically unknown during recent years
May Marx New Era.
Not few builders go 50 far as 70
say that the operation VIII mark a
new era in the development Of the city's
suburban portions.
There is no argument as 70 whether
the property IS worth the price al which
Il has been put on the market. IN
doubtedIv Il is. But i Is the eIfrnfna-
ton Of those desirable features-wide
froutSges and Cellars-the latter, OF
course. making impossible the instaI Ia
EOn Of fUTna ces-features that have
proven a valuable asset IN the selling
OF practically all OF NVashing ton's small
e. homes-that indicates the turn
backward from the construction OF the
more up-tO-date Type OF the mOdeT5te-
priced house
In this connection. the views Of =
Louis WlUige- OF the frrn OF WFliee-
65lbDs & Daniel, are OF interest Mr.
Wtll5Ee- who Is chairman OF the Cham
ner OF Commerce cost Of living com
nitteer and, In addition. is entirely IA
Inlliar with local real estate conditions
attributes the demand for a cheaper-
DrLced bono % nfgh cost Of lin