The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-24
Hxtensve Construction Awaits More Settled Conditions
- -Flon7eseekers Buy Sites and Put Off Build =
OH ing Until Costs Are Lower

Although Washington has removed ali
restrictions on building uperat ons
throughout the United States, II is not
expected by suburban developers that
athere will be any particular rush to
Z build. SOME new ideas of n country
homo in its construction. lay out and size
are expected to enter largely into de-
ttermining to what extent new homes
will be built. There Is a growing feel
Ing that apartment house jewellers are
fast coming to realize that the high
rentals which they are now paying for
dwelling accommodations In the city
can be placed into suburban homes to
advantage. The question Is steadily TAX
.lpg on an economical aspect and one of
the outgrowths OF this Is a new arrange
tfffent which developers are considering
sfespecting the erecting Of homes for
prospective commuters who are at pres
sent only In position to purchase land.
The war has brought about a great
many economical questions and they
nave been solved. Sacrifices were not
found 80 hard to make when the cause
was worthy. Developers believe, now
that the populace have become more or
less used TO these sacrifices. II VITA not
gbe such a difficult matter to make Nose
bwho have long been wanting to move
INV biS NOhhtIg SIC tilG DtHtulS 10
be- derived. In fact the general cost
Eofi living has reached such figures that
every housekeeper is carefully weighing
ND the worth of what he gets for his
dollar and his dwelling accommodations
nave not been overlooked. He Is apt
7tor be moro impressed with the oppor-
stunity to raise some fresh vegetables, ln
.rhia own backyard in country home
which he Is buying with the rental he
mas haratnfOra haan navinu mi n
Fuse of his fat.
20 builders have recognized that the pub
lic, whose mind Is now turning rapidly in
spfoce directions, has absorbed a great
deal of the manners and methods which
the Government pursued in its war work
programme. The introduction OF the cost
Plus basis. which was placed in vogue on
Ttpvny contracts, will soon be applied to
country home buildings, not only because
Isunurban developers want to do some
sthing for, their prospective settlers but
because the latter have learned some
ming about business which was not
othetrs before the war; They want to en-
Coy the thrill OF a possible rise or fall
ia the commodities which are to- going
into their new homes: want to take a
little OF the risk which has been all the
tbuilder's. hoping to be able to buy and
+ build on falling, rather than rising
Nfarket They want, most of all, to de-
stafnnine what Is the most economical
reconstruction.
nsE1he plan OF building on this line was
explained by William A. Lambert, archi-
estect and president of the Nutley Realty
Company. He said that there are a great
many persons who would like to buy
NOW but have no money to build homes
In the present unsettled market for build
sne materials. Many OF them having
'fecognied that real estate. more espe-~
seeiaily In the suburbs, has not advanced
In value materially, as compared with
practically every other commodity, are
securing for themselves certain plots
Swhich will be put to use later. This
sancTement degeloped The plan of building
elbe country home on the cost plus basis.
sAfany of the BUYERS asked II such an ar
1E4hgement could be worked out After
tqpbsiderat!on developers found that such
~ plan was possible, and some OF them
hsye entered into agreem}nt to build
whenever the plot buyersEvish. limiting
the length OF the life Of this arrangement
eq one year after purchase of.the land
u The plan il to erect a house according
% the wishes of the plot buyer he Is to
pay, the cost of the materials, labor and
70 forth, plus 10 per cent OF the whole
s4pBt, the 10 per cent. being to dsfray the
expenses of architects plans, supervision
and profit TO the development company.
10 Present day plot buyers. Mr. Lambert
sta ted, stand n fair chance TO profit by
fhsir early Investments Those who are
fholding Off for building materials to
come down so as to buy a completed
house at a lower figure than at present
quoted are doomed to be disappointed.
Land values are sure to rise. and any