The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-05
Topeka Never So Badly in Need
of Residences.
Between 800 and $50 Places
Are Wanted Now.
MEANS BIG LOSS TO Topeka
Persons Leaving Town Because
of Conditions.
Rentals From Houses and
Apartments Soaring.

Between 800 and $50 residences and
apartments for both sale and rental
purposes will be needed in, Topeka this
season. according to estimates made
today by real estate men who base
their figures on sale and rental actiV-
ity of the last month. Altho indica-
tive of the most rapid industrial and
commercial growth in the city in
years, the demand for homes. both
permanent and temporary, in Topeka
is such that it cannot possibly be met.
Both rental and sale prices are soar
ing. In the face of this investment
companies and contractors assert that
building activity on a large scale is be-
ing held up by the building strike here.
One real estate dealer here stated
that he could rent fifty apartments
and residences today and the tenants
would move in tomorrow if the places
were obtainable. This same agent es-
timated the season demand for rentals
at at least $50 houses and apartments.
Estimates on the number of residences
for sale purposes needed this season
range-with several dealers and in
vestment companies SuesSing-be-
tween 100 and $50.
The demand for permanent homes.
it is asserted, would be much higher
were it not for the high cost of labor
and material. and with labor here ask
ing still higher wages, contractors and
investment companies assert that build
ing ACTIVITY Will D6 lar D6IOW Ue6uS.
Several instances of persons moving
to Topeka and moving away again
because of their inability to find tenn
porary or permanent homes have
come to light Among these instances
is the case of one young man who OBJ
tanned good position here but was
forced to give it up owing to the fact
that he could find no place desirable
for his family to live. He was looking
for rental property
Boom Since Armistice.
At a west side meeting of club wo-
men this week twelve women were
present. Four of them were looking
for apartments or residences. but said
they were unable to find suitable ones
unOccupied. 1s.
Last fall-say the time the arrnistice
was signed-the average number of
vacant houses were to be found in To-
peka. Since that time they have rap
idly been occupied. And it is very
probable that the season demand Will
be- much higher than the estimate
based on the demand for the last
month owing to the fact that hundreds
Of Topeka men are coming nome
shortly with the 35th and S9th divi-
sions, not to mention several other
units large percentages very
large percentage-of these men want
homes While they are away wives
and families have moved to small
apartments or boarding houses. Many
of them have married since joining
the army and their returns mean an
attempt to find an apartment or bum
galow.
Rentals and value of houses and
partments are soaring. A small apart
ment with just enough furniture to
let it be classified as furnished" de-
mands anywhere from S35 to $50 a
month. From $50 to 500 a month
for modestly furnished apartments is
not unusual House rentals are on
the same average and unfurnlshed
apartments classed as really "deslr-
able" are practically unobtainable.