The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-22

'''' N'N dNaitlHE SOUlt one VINO wants
oo'ooo acres OF Florida timber. There
IS quite little Florida property in the
market at the present time. One broker
DOWNTOWN has tract OF 10000 acres
there which he can sell for $40 an acre:
another broker has 10000 acres in Leon
county for which his client wants $40
an acre Several fine estates in Georgia
are now being offered by one broker
III TINS city. They are residences OF
the fine old Southern type. The owners
think there is a better chance OF SELL
ing them here than elsewhere and have
sent instructions TO a we'll known Fifth
avenue brokerage firm to market them.
me Curls Neck farm, on tho James
River, one OF the finest estates In Viz
GINA, was sold in New York last Oc-
tober after II had been on the market
in other cities for some time. c. X. @.
Billings. the financier and trotting horse
owner, who owns Tryon Hall, on Inwood
Hill, bought II. Had II not been placed
in the hands OF New York brokers IL
Is likely that the Senff estate would
sun be looking for some one to buy
II, The estate contains 5000 acres IN
the historic James River, the scene OF
many hard fought fights in the civil
'"'' ~ 10 tfuc sDOutltrn estate with
VIDE, sweeping acres and buildings
winch bespeak hospitality. comfort and
wealth. 1t Is said to be one OF the
nnest estates In the South. Mr.. SEMI,
whose estate sold the property. IL said
TO have spent more than 100000 in
the development OF the property and
the buildings. Mr.. Billings paid $1,000
600 FOR tho estate. which he will keep
for raising his blooded horses.
The property was FIRST given to sell
by the SEMI family to a firm OF Nor
folk lawyers. They tried to market II
in their home country. Then Washing
ton was tried and some other cities
near the Mason and Dixon line: but the
result was the same In all cases. no
one could be found who had $1,000, 900
70 pay for a country home in Virginia,
even though It was being cold at a
sacrifice figure.
The owners wanted results SO the
lawyers as a last resort sent the par
tIculars to New York brokers with in
structions that the property was Of
fered at sacrifice. It was not very
long before they heard from the New
York brokers that there were people
interested IN the property and then
would buy the farm.
Just before the outbreak OF the last
revolution in Mexico New York broker
sold to a Boston mining syndicate
l2o 600 acres south OF Mexico city for
about 90 cents an acre This broker
makes business OF going TO Mexico
every year and opt!on!ng farms and
grants and then coming back TO New
York and selling them for twice what
he has agreed 10 pay. He usually pays
about 20 cents an acre and sells II for
SO and 60 cents. Probably more Mexi-
can real estate Ia sold in this city than
in any other city outside OF Mexico city
1t has even been said by those who
claim to know that New York even
handles more Mexican realty than tho
capital OF Mexico.
fOne OF the finest places In Paris, a
castle of historic and intrinsic value on
the Place de rEtoile. from which rad!-
ates seven Of the leading boulevards OF
the French capital and In the centre OF
which is the Arc de Triomphe was in
the real estate market here up to the
beginning OF the war. II Is owned by
one Of the leading confectioners and
caterers OF Paris. who bought It from
an Italian count for the purpose Of
using II for his business, putting in
store windows on tho street level and
using the upper part OF the old mansion
for dining parties, serving afternoon
teas and the like. But he planned with
out considering the French Government
In the matter. He did not know that
the Place de rEtoile was restricted to
residences only and no trade whatever
would be permitted in the square The
candy man argued that he would not
display any sign of his trade. but that
would not satisfy. 30 he sought buyer
for his Second Empire mansion and its
flower gardens and walks.
Naturally he tried Paris hrst, but
Paris brokers after a try shrugged their
shoulders and said. Were sorry, but
We ind no one who will pay you your
price" When the confectioner offered
his property he thought It would be
little trouble to find a buyer for his his
toric realty. Built in the Second En-
pire and in tho architecture Of the
period II is one OF the sights OF tho
French capital. Because of its history
and popularity the candy man bought II
and for the same reason the French
authorities would not let him carry
out his plans, for II must be remembered
that in France much more interest is
given 10 the appearance OF cities than In
America. Finding Paris could do nothing
for him he came to New York with his
white elephant and placed 1t in tho hands
OF several brokers here. He was asking
100000 francs, which IN American
money amounts TO 100000 He says the
site alone Ia worth 100000.