The San Francisco call., 1910-08-20

That there never was so good time
as now to get homes is the opinion OF
expert Investors.
The many things in store for San
Francisco during the next few years
are pretty sure to bring large in
crease in population. One of the first
effects viii be an increase in prices of
houses and lots.
Almost without exception those who
have acquired homes in the city and
nearby suburbs in the last few years
have found them TO be very profitable
investment.
The capital invested in the home has
increased, rent has been saved and in
many ways the family has been bene-
1ited.
OPPORTUNITIES GOOD
There are exceptional opportunities
now for buying houses and lots, before
any imitation of values sets in There
never was a time when so many artis-
tic new homes were on the market at
such low prices.
Builders have been able to put up
houses during the last six months at
lower cost than at any time in the last
10 years More Ingenuity and artistic
taste in building are now displayed.
II a person wishes to build his or her
own house on thoroughly modern up to
date plans il can be done now at very
low cost All the savings banks stand
ready TO make building loans to re-
sponsihe heads Of families.
Getting a lot is, OF course, the first
step toward getting a home. A good
home site can be secured today in the
city near car line at prices ranging
from 500 to $4,000, and on terms so
easy that any one. even with q small
income, can secure a plat of land.
Probably in no city of the same size
In this country today is land so easily
obtainable New Workers would be
amazed if such opportunities were Of
fered TO them. There it is practically
impossible for a person of small means
10 get 4 home. The present state of
things here can not last long. The in
crease in values as san Francisco
climbs up toward the million mark in
the next decade, Will make home get
ting more difficult
These are matters for thoughtful
people to think about now before the
day of opportunity passes.
INCREASED VALUE
Joseph A. Leonard, the veteran archi-
tcct and mana ger of the Urban realty
Improvement company. who has proba-
bly, built more homes than any other
man in the city. gives the following in.
stances Of profit made by home buy
ers:
The present owner bought the lot
at - Jordan avenue. where he now
lives, four years ago for $4,000. 1t is
now worth s4.5e0, as the lot next it
sold for tat price recently. The in
creased value is almost wholly due to
the wholesome restriction and high
class improvements which have. trans
formed an uninteresting locality into
one of the most attractive residence
districts in the city.
When the volunteers for the Philip
pine war camped a few years ago on
the Greary waste south Of the Chill
drens hospital. now Commonwealth
avenue, no one pictured its present
beauty as 4 choice residence district.
The owners of houses in this district
have had good homes for four years,
during which time values have dou-
bled
T. v Riddle. manager OF the Park
Size realty company, gave other in
stances Of people who have benefited
themselves and helped to build up
SUBURBAN districts by getting homes
few years ago. He said:
Two years ago q man bought a
house and lot of US for $500 by pay
ing $3.50 down and s33 month. Up
10 the present time he has paid in
about $1,000. His place is now worth
$4,000 easily.
Five years ago a man bought a lot
in that part Of town for $500. Recently
he went out TO look at it with a view
10 placing A price on il to sell. In
stead he Was so impressed with the
growth Of values that he borrowed
$1,000 on his original lot and applied
il toward the payment of two adjoin-s
ing lots al sl.700 each. The first lot
had more Chan doubled in value ir I'VE
years.
Spsulding & Nef. the firm that mas
been very successful in developing. the
Ramona terrace district in Marin coun-
". told Of fortunate suburban home in
vestors:
About two years ago man went
over to Fairfax and paid $3.50 for so
foot lot he put up a house for sIIoG
There were some fruit trees on the
place He cultivated these and made
the whole place productive and pretty
He was recently offered s4.50O for ii.
1t cost him about sl,50o
PLANTED FRUITS
Another man out there bought a
cottage and two lots for $500 two
years ago. He then bought five ad
joining lots from US for $3.50. giving
him about an acre and a half alto
gether at cost Of s3.o5O. He planted
all his land TO the finest varieties of
Burbank fruits, which he estimates
Will bring him in an income of $500 10
$1,000 a year in two or three wears
His farm is now easily worth se.O6y
but he would not sell it, because he
says he Is depending upon it to sup
port him in his old age.
With these examples before them
others are now buying land and plan-
ming 10 get not only homes but incomes
also The climate and soil are So
favorable that it is very easy to de-
Velop a home place into a productive
little farm in that district, and vet keen
in close touch with the city,
Ludwig Heilsnan, the architect ano
builder, is putting up an exceedingly
attractive row. of homes in Eleventh
avenue between California street and
the Preside. He has succeeded in nro-
ducing striking effects in Swiss chalet
style, and in French, English and CO.
Ionial architecture. which are usually
attained only in very high priced
houses. The interiors are finished sn
the most beautiful native woods done
in arts and crafts styles Commenting
on these houses, L. A. St. GERMAN. ~
the firm Of Mooser & st. Germain. said.
t~rbpSq new STYLE bnpeac ba..o