The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-28

houses for customers is %25 each" said a
woman who makes a business OF house
hunting. 10 the New York Sun reporter.
I began the business four years ago.
when financial reyerses made il necessary
for me 10 work for a living for myself
and my children. It was a sort Of evolu-
ton
Ny first thought was to BE a private
secretary. Having had my own home and
gone into society. felt myself perfectly
competent TO become a social secretary
with the exception OF a few clerical de-
tails. Discussing these details with a
friend and her husband one evening the
friend remarked that she wished I would
add to my studies that OF house hunting.
They were planning 10 move the next
fall. and even then. early in the spring,
she was in a panic about getting a house
to suit them
Accepting her suggestion. / replied that
/ would begin at once and take looking
for house for her as my first lesson.
She told me as nearly as possible just
what she wanted and in what particular
zone Of New York. jotted down all the
points 10 be remembered. and between
my lessons in bookkeeping. typewritlng
and stenography during the next few
weeks looked at houses.
Examines Every House.
Il am sure must have examined every
rentable house within the chosen district
Having never done any house hunting for
myself, I had no idea how much houses
differ. Though I investigated more than
100 houses. none Of them was exactly
what my order called FOR. They we're all
lacking IN some important detail
THE best 1 could do was TO make
list OF the ten which came nearest filling
her order. This was done after a second
visit 10 about fifty Of the houses. After
going over the ten for the third time I
was able to reduce the number 10 four.
Writing out a fun description Of the four,
submitted them. taking With me the
notes had made on all houses visited
II was well that did so, for, not salts
fed with my word that they did not an
swer the requirements, both husband and
wife wanted 10 know why each one would
not do as well as If not better than the
four recommended. This may appear tan
talking 10 a person beginning as a pro-
house hunter, but want 10 say
right here that Il IS what nine-tenths OF
your clients Will do. so you may as well
accept il as a matter Of course from the
first
Their selection was made from the
four houses which I had recommended,
and then came the question Of compen-
sating me. I was not in their employ as
a secretary, so finding them a house had
20 be paid for as a separate item. The
real estate man with whom the deal was
made said he thought my services were
worth SIS.
Real Beginning of Business.
Just as soon as I agreed TO that
amount a woman who had been sitting
in his Office came forward and offered
me the same amount If would find a
house 10 suit her. That was the real
beginning Of my profession. and since
then I have been kept pretty busy az It.
"A great difference has arisen In the
business during the four years that 7
have been working az H. When 1 first
began about everybody who was able
10 pay above $500 year rental wanted
a house. This year 1 have only FIVE de-
nands for houses. I have four times as
many customers who are willing TO pay
many thousands Of dollars a year rent
Tor apartments. II is not lack Of money
hat is sending people to apartments these
lays. but a desire 10 avoid trouble. Then
n Sc
every way.
"A few years ago the top floor OF an
apartment house rented for less than
1oors below II. excepting the ground
loor. Now Il is seldom that difference is
made. People are not only willing 10
i've ten stories above the street level, but
hey appear to be eager 10 get up even
wenty. I have several orders for apart !
nents not below the fifteenth floor.
want 20 Get Well Up.
From the fourth 70 the twentieth are
he popular floors just now Besides get
ing above the dust aad noise there is
he additional advantage OF having
,etter view, the air is undoubtedly bet /
er, and where you expect to stay in the
ity after the warm weather begins you
re pretty sure never to be reminded OF
he existence Of mosquitoes on the higher /
loors
Il don't know that the change from
louise hunting to apartment hunting /
makes the work easier or more pleasant |
or me. OF course, it takes less time to 1
investigate the average apartment than /
does the average house, but that IS /
by there being so many
lOre apartments on the renting market I
han there are houses. Each year the 4
lumber Of apartments increases enor-
lously, while the houses get fewer.
often when I am shopping for an ex-
ensive apartment agents suggest a house /
hitch can be had for a much lower price
han 1 have named and always with a
reater number Of rooms. I invariably
bake my head az such propositions and
ell them that so far as I can see there
re now only two classes OF people who
ant houses in New York-those who
ant afford expensive apartments and
rangers. usually from medium-sized
tiles OF the West and the South. The
'orthern family who can afford to pay
n comforts orders an apartment
Don't find people hard to suit? Well.
don't believe I have any more trouble
ian the average shopping agent. Some
eople know what they want and others
on't Some are dishonest, but the ma
'rfty Of those who have done business
it'll me have proved straight. You know
shonesty even in the matter Of renting
home even for a few months doesn't
2y.
Besides, the agent as well as the
inter has TO be dishonest to cheat me
At Of my commission. Doing as large &
isiness as do now, an agent knows il
ould not be to his interest to rent 70 one
my customers leaving me ont G, the