The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-17

Dear Mr.. oTarhs. We own lot in
White Plains, free and clear, m are
stricted section, 50x114, said lot having
sewer, water and sidswalks. This fan
We would like TO begin building our fti-
ture home. which must contain at least
eight rooms and two baths, but without
any finished rooms on the third story,
as we have learned from past experience
they are not habitable, being subjected
TO the extremes In. weather. To give
the necessary bedrooms we thought OF
extending the floor space over the roof
or the porch also to build the lower
half OF field rock instead of brick, which
has doubled in cost within the last few
years. The house will be built along the
Dutch farm house lines as think It
win harmonize with the hills Of West
chester. - "
Do You think we could, put in $1,000
when operations begin. and another ga
600 when we move into IL. and would
we'll known building firm take such
a proposition7 We expect 1t would cost
$4,000 to build at present H. ]. NJ.
think that you ought to be able to
finance your proposition with $1,000.
payable when the first tier of beams is
set, but you will have to get your mort
gage arrangements made now. so that
more money than simply your $4,000
can be advanced during the construc-
ton. II 1t is a $4,000 house you will
need $1,000. Ordinarily this would be
advanced as the building went up In
the following proportions: Twenty per
cent. when the first tier OF beams IL
set, 20 per cent when the roof is framed,
20 per cent. on brown mortar, 20 per
cent. on standing trim. doors hung, &C.,
and 20 per cent. on completion.
like your idea of using local stone.
So many people 60 twenty miles for
a brick when there is stone right at
hand. and the result is less pleasing.
Even striking street car conductors
know better than that
Don't forget to talk with a nursery
man about your landscaping. A stone
house offers splendid opportunity for
hne effects at a moderate expense.
The last paragraph OF your inquiry
contains a question as to a particular
building company. and you will pardon
me IL ! remind you that II Is imprac-
ticable for me to refer to any particu-
lar person or company.
Dear Mr.. Clarke: I own lot situated
In Bridgeport, Conn. 50x100, valued at
500, free and clear of all debt, and
taxes. I have S1.750 cash on hand and
my wages amount TO 81 $50 year. Now
we value your advice SO highly that we
will act on any suggestion you may
offer relative to style. size and price Of
house to be erected.
Kindly give amount OF mortgage to
De raised under the conditions named.
J. +. r
Building costs are high in your local
ity, but 1 should think you ought to get
a very comfortable six room house built
for $4,000 In round figures. Toward this
you have $3.50 TO contribute. Sup
pose you only put in $1,000 and your lot
That would give you s2.25o equity. I
think you ought TO be able TO borrow
$500 from a local building and loan
association on this.
The style OF your house is for you to
determine. Its size should be less
than what you think you need. Please
keep down the dimensions. You viii
be glad OF II. Rather than try to ad-
wise you myself as TO exactly how your
money should be spent, / think you
ought to get information which will en-
able you 10 draw your own conclusions
In a large measure. Most people would
save good deal of money IL they took
little course in self education before
they undertook these building plans.
The way I would go about 1t is this
my savings account, or to the executive
officer of the business for which
worked. and explain my plan. l would
get suggestion of the names OF two
O. three builders who were known TO be
responsible and reliable and engaged in
home building. Then I would go to
each Of these men and talk the situation
over; go and look at work they have
already done; compare the prices and
workmanship of one with the other, and
II you can, talk with the owners OF
houses built by these contractors. II
you will spend a few weeks in investi-
eating along these lines you will soon
be able TO express some opinion your
self Don't depend on my advice or
that of any one else altogether, and
as your hard earned money is going
into the proposition make sure that you
understand why every dollar is spent,
not merely that II is spent because
somebody else wants you to spend II.
IL some one says steam heat Is better
than hot water ask the users of both
kinds. See that your money is spent
for qualty-not quantity. Anybody can
build barn. It's large and sometimes
impressive. but II makes an indifferent
house. When any one tells you that a
cheaper article or form of construction