The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-04
Business a Little Slow,
but the Agents Are in
Optimistic Mood.
SEVEN YEARS BACK;
WONDERFUL FACTS
Through Long Season Of Dull
ness Richmond Has Held It's
Own-Dirt in the Old Town
Still Worth Hundred
Cents in the
Dollar.

they arc nothing. Without exception
they admit that for tho past six or
eight or twelve months there has been
dullness which mono of them will
undertake to explain except to say that
1T was there All of them are looking
for better things in this good year that
has just opened up. The reasons for
these optimistic Views arc as numer-
Gus az there arc agents in the town.
and there are something over hun
dred Of them. have seen pretty much
all or them. but II quote from each
and all would take up much moro
space than is usually devoted to the
real estate column.
Perhaps the little talk l had with
one OF the leaders viii suffice In eff
fect, no said that there is no ground
for scare. and he thinks that the
good year that has just dawncd will
show something good in the real es-
tatc line. He went on to explain that
in the seven years past something like
sloo0c0.0e0 have changed hands In the
dealings OF real estate In Richmond
proper, TO say nothing OF the many big
deals that matcrinlized in the suburbs
that do not show tho city books.
III this seven -year period more than
s3o00o,o0o have been invested IN Rich
mond buildings, and these investments
range NIL the way from the 81. 900 little
home up to tho 100000 business sky
r'lapcis anu lliS goes .lOl take lnIO
account the many homes that have been
builded In the suburbs.
Some Remarkable Facts
III the seven years past there has
been a great deal OF speculation and
not little OF swapping and trading
Ordinarily. when there has been so
much OF speculation. il were natural
TO look for very many foreclosures
aud scll-outs and all the like OF that
to
have been mighty few foreclosure
sales Furthermore, It is a remarkable
fact that not one III l 90 holders OF real
estate are willing to close out at cost
but all arc demanding profit. Some
of them would be well satisfied perhaps
with a small profit, hut all the same
they are not selling At a loss Thus
IL happens that the bargain hunters
and the sacrifice sale buyers who were
looking for big things about this time
are disappointed. They have found
that Richmond dirt is worth 100 cents
III the dollar all the year around. hard
times or hard times.
Cut Out Speculation.
The good man interviewed went on
To say: Il do not think there Will be
very much speculation for the present
year. maybe not for two wears hence,
but there will be n great deal OF legi-
Innate buying and selling. Richmond
property Is holding its own. and the
man who wants 10 buy ground for n
home or for a business house or for
an industrial establishment can find
the goods all right. but he need NOT
expect IT at anything like a sacrifice
price. There is no sacrifice ground on
tho market in Richmond
Tho sales for the past week were
confined for the most part TO small
residence lots. The firm OF Pollard
& Bagby was reported TO have made
n $4,000 sale of business property on
Broad street. One OF the members OF
tho concern admitted that such n deal
was on and practically closed. but as
the finishing touches had not been put
on, he declined TO give particulars.
Exclusive of this and also of two
rumored sales. one said to have been
made by N w. Bowe & Sons and ono
by J. Thompson Brown & Company.
The business of the week was confined
to small residencc-l transactions.
There was some inquiry for farm
lands. as reported by several dealers
who give special attention 10 this class
OF property, hut the efforts of these
agents were confined entirely to show
ing the goods. So far ms learned, mono
Of them concluded any of the big sales
they had hanging on the string.
Out In the Suburbs.
1t rs said that the new year opens
up fairly bright for the suburbs. and
that already there is not little of
inquiry for home sites in the good re-
gions round about the city.
President Funston, of the Ciintcr
Park Company, tells me that the year
has opened up In very bright colors
for the attractive suburb that is so
close to his heart Ho tells me that a
contract has just been awarded for the
erection of re-cngine house at the
corner of Chamberlayne and Maple
wood Avenues, and 1t will be an up
to-date two story building. The build
ing will contain spacious and we'll
lighted hall, which will be great
convenience to the people OF the park.
There will also be club rooms con-
venientfy arranged for tho public. The
construction work will begin within
the next few days, and 1T is expected
that the building will he completed by
early spring.
Furthermore. nc tells me:
Building prospects for tho park APP
year to be very much better than ut
any time during the past year. and it
is expected that quite u number of
handsome homes will ha started there
in short time.
There has been quite n force OF
hands engaged In trir,minG tho trees
and renewing the grass plots on Cham
berlayno Avenue.
Another contract haa Just been
awarded for considerable paving ard
iSphithS u stiCSs1 III 1riHtcT ark,
the total amount OF the contract rep
resenting an outlay Of approximately
$4,000. With tho completion of this
work it will hs great boost to that
community. Sidewalks are now being
laid over the entire park, and during
the past few months over 10000 feet
OF paving have heen laid in front OF
the lots.
EVERY lot IL. Ginter Park is now
provided with privit hedge sidewalk,
sswcr. water and gas. The Richmond
Continued On Last Pago.)