Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1919-03-29
PAINT AS AN ASSET.
Bankers Say They Lend More
Money on Property When
Buildings Are Well Painted.
AN INDICATION OF THRIFT.
One Concern Advances IS Per Cent.
More II RepaIntlng 10 Done
Every Five Years.

Does II pay to paint carefully farm
buildings? Does II ndd 10 the selling
value Of fnrm when buildings are
properly kept up and regularly paint
edf A careful Inquiry OF number OF
lending bankers in the Mississippi val
Icy, including such states as Iowa. III
nois, Michigan. ohio, Indiana and Mis-
souri,, reveals the fact That In nearly
every case the bankers did not hest
tate 10 say that they would lend all tho
way from to 80 per cent more on
land whore farm buildings We're well
painted and kept IN good condition
They maintain that well kcpt-up and
well painted buildings and fences ara
an indication OF thrift and that the
thrifty farmer IL good client. and 10
him money can be safely loaned. An
average OF the returns from there
bankers shows that the increased loan
value because OF painted buildings Is
around - per cent
Some OF these bankers make inter
esting comment. A Michigan concern
pared to advise definitely In response
10 this inquiry. the officers would loan
more money on farms where buildings
were painted thnn whore they were
not 50 treated This bank also finds
that where houses. barns and fences
are well taken care OF the farm is
profitable proposition, and bankers in
general consider the farmer good
client. Another Michigan bank says
farm buildings out OF repair and
needing paint indicate that the owner
is slow pay" Such farms are rated at
about onethird OF the assessed value
for loans. Who're the farm buildings
are In good shape the rating Is one
half. The president OF middle west
ern bank says TINT when real estate
loans are considered. painted buildings
are always taken into consideration In
making an estimate The general ap-
pearance OF the property surrounding
the house and barn and also the fields
and fences would he carefully observ-
ed. He further says that he has no
hesItancy In saying that he would nb-
solutcly refuse loan on farms where
the buildings were not kept up and
well painted. In his Judgment. I'M
painted farm buildings would reduce
the loan value nj least - per cent.
Minnesota banker snys that he Is
much more willing to loan money
where the buildings are we'll painted.
In his particular case he believes that
he would loan 20 per cent. more than
II the buildings were not properly
taken care or A farmer who will
keep his buildings painted tnkes
much deeper interest N his work than
one who does not Another Mime
sofa bank says that we'll painted build
ings have resulted in securing from
his bank sometimes as high as % per
cent. more money than where the
buildings are not painted An Ohio
concern says that Il will loan % per
cent. more money on well kept farm
where buildings are painted AZ least
once every five years 4 southern MI
nols bank says that II has no fixed
rule about this, but II does make de-
cided difference when owners OF farm
lands apply for loans II the buildings
nre well painted and thus well pre-
served the loan rate would not only
be cheaper. hut the amount Of money
borrowed would be larger 4 northern
Illinois bnnk does not hesitate To say
that Il would loan fully 80 per cent.
more on farm where buildings were
we'll painted and In good order than
where they were not The vice preSi-
dent, who answers the inquiry, goes
on TO say "There probably are many
farmers good financially and morally
who permit their buildings to remain
implanted. hut MS a rule the most sub
stantia people who live in the coun-
try keep their buildings well painted"
An Iowa bank. through Its vice pres
ident, states that II would make a DIFF
ference Of NJ least - per cent In IA.
vor OF the farm with painted build
ings Another Iowa concern says that
II would make difference OF at least
20 per cent
All this being true. II Is perfectly
evident that II is good business prop
osition TO keep the farm buildings well
painted They not only look better
and are more pleasing to the owner.
but the farm would sell 10 better adj
vantage. the loan value Of the property
would be greatly increased and the
buildings themselves would last much
longer and need less repair.-The
American Agriculturst.