The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-07
REALTORS REPORT TRAFFIC IN LEASES ACTIVE LAST WEEK
Bidding for Downtown Lo- cations Reaches High Water Mark-Marked
 Increase in Building

The past week in realty circles was featured by considerable traffic in leases and by rumors of many changes in the retail section Bidding for downtown To- cations reached a high water mark. and though nothing definite as to the bidders was forthcoming, it is known that sev- eral nonresident concerns are anxious to open up here.
 W. B. Leedy & Co, who have closed many big leases in the last few weeks, announced that they had several large u ades under way almost to the point of completion. This is the best year we've ever had in the realty business" de- ciared John Leedy. "The demand was never so healthy and our large force has been taxed to capacity to look after the business"
 I. Groom Beatty general manager of the Birmingham Realty company, and one of the keenest students of realty values in the district, continues optimis- tic over the outlook, especially as it re- lates to high-class residential property. Mir. Beatty and his associates are busily planning new developments in Forest Park and in their other holdings which they will offer for sale in the near fu- ture
 Col. T. H. Motion. veteran realty ex- pert is pleased with his latest invest nlenta at Fifth avenue and Twentieth street. across from the Tutwiler Before this building was completed Colonel Mol ton had leased every store. He plans, however, to construct a skyscraper on this corner in the next five or six years.
 YOUNGER AGENCIES ACTIVE
 Among the young agencies Butler-Gar- rett, John B. Reid & Co.,, Kendrick- Houseaf company and Alex Montgomery are still travelling at fast clip. William M Johnstons sales manager for Butter Garrett, stated yesterday that his con cern has recently closed seven or eight deals between 5000 and $10,o0o.
 John Reid and Wilbur Cole are getting names on the dotted line with startling regularity. both being energetic statesmen with a large clientele.
 Alex Montgomery is not only putting Arlington Place in the front rank of res identia1 developments, but he 1lnos tlne to close up trades almost daily.
 The Jemison Real Estate, and Insurance company announce the following impor- tant residence sales in addition 10 number of smaller ones during the week:
 c. J. Barr to M. M. Baldwin, the resi- dence on Cliff road in Mountain Terrace originally built by Scott Joy, and con s;dered one of the handsouest homes ln that district.
 J. E. Seay to Mrs. Permelia Jones, residence at 1117 S. 33d st, being one or the handsome homes in Chestnut HILL
 That considerable building is going on not only here, but all over the country. is evidenced by the following reports received by the Building Age:
 BIG INCREASE SHOWN
 ''An increase of 349 per cent IS shown in the value of permits granted for Oc- tober, 1919, compared with October, 1sls' Out of 100 cities reporting. 17s show m creases. The total amount of construc- tion for which permits were granted dur- ing October, 1919, totals N6o ,ozosle; TOT October. 1918. the total was S35, ,s36, 522
 'The percentage of increase in the number of permits granted is TIT per cent, this giving a more conservative view of the greater activity this year ow- ing to the increased cost in building. The average value of the permits granted