Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-01
REALTORS FORESEE
BUILDING ACTIVITY
Expect General Resumption
of Construction on All
Types of Structures.

A marked improvement in the build
ing and real estate business Of Wash
ington, accompanied by a general re-
types of structures. is looked for by
local real estate men with the open
ing of the new year.
CoGnizant of the fact that the late
months Of 1890 saw a lowering of
prices on building materials, q stabi-
Iization of the labor market. and an
Improvement in the financial situa-
ton, builders are optimistic over the
outlook for the coming year.
Shortage stin Aeute.
1t is pointed out that, besides the
more encouraging conditions brought
about by the general business awak-
ering. there are other impelling fac
tors which point to an active year in
building circles of the National Capt.
tai. Principal among these is the
knowledge that the housing shortage
in the District of Columbia continues
TO be acute, and that homes must be
provided at once for hundreds OF
families. With the approach of sea-
sonabie weather it is expected that
builders will devote their efforts to
filling this demand, taking advantage
of the return to a somewhat more
dustry ito make up for lost time
In addition it is known that q num-
Der of builders whe have been hold
ing off in their program to await
more suspicious conditions for build
ing are planning to launch their pref
ects early this year. Architects OF
Washington have been asked to uh-
pack plans fled away during the
construction crisis, and investors are
no with n view TO
financing promising operations.
Agents Expect Revival.
Real estate agents expect a revival
ing up to the date of inauguration.
due to the influx of new government
officials with their families. The
change in administration will leave
vacant many houses In various parts
of the city; only fer a Snort ana Tune:
houses needed to comfortably accom-
modate the population of the city,
little difficulty should be met with BY
agents in finding tenants. lin the
prospect of providing homes for the
high government officials who are
scheduled to take office March 4, local
real estate men will enter the year
with the determination to take part
in the series of transactions incident
to the incoming of these new families
If predictions to the effect that the
United States Supreme court VIII
have decided on the constitutionailty
of the Ball rent act by February or
March come true, another uncertainty
which has attended the real estate
industry here will be dispelied, open,
ing the way for more staoitized
rental and investment market Ia
Washington.
BANKERS See Improvement.
Builders and bankers throughout
the country join with the local bust
ness men in f0reseeins better ouito-
ing conditions in 1921.
s. w. Straus, president OF the 8. \"
Stratus Company, bankers, OF New
YORK, is one of those who express
optimism with regard to construction
OF the future. In statement assaeA
The enormous housing shortage
will constitute . potent tmpenane
force back of building ac4ivitiss -
1874. There are times when the Jaw
Of supply and demand ceases 70 tunc-
tion. but such periods must OF 1 1ecn;.
si,y be t.snsi ses Zoo h %ae Or nous-
ing facilities equal to the normal re-
ouirements of about 10 per cent Ell
the nopulation of our country, Inv
wear 1920, while witnessing consid-
cradle building activities IN some
places, has not relieved the situA'
ton These are abnormal eqnoitlons.
ana the economic tendency is aiwaye
snward nOrmaltty. When We have an
oversupply of buildings the INDUSTRY
s,ackens. and when there is a great
shortage. such as now exists. AorCes
Of prodigious strength are az WORK
seeking to restore aormal Daiance
Of supply and demand