Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-07-27
SEES REVOLUTION
IN REAL ESTATE
NEW FACTORS WILL UPSET
STANDARDS OF VALUES
SAYS BABSON.

Roger W. Babson, adviser to over
seventeen thousand of the country's
leading executives has called another
turn.
In a statement issued to-day he
outlines conditions in the realestate
field and advises the purchase Of sub
urban property before it is too late.
"The big movement in real estate
usually gets well under way" says
Mr.. Babson, "before anyone realizes
what is going on" Because they have
seen land unused for years most
people think it will always continue
so. This is why the original holder
seldom makes any profit from real
estate. The value is so close to his
nose that he does not see it.
"A fundamental change in real
estate value is taking place. SO far
it has proceeded quietly without
much publicity. Few people have re-
allied it. The fact is that people are
moving to the country. A few wise
heads have discovered the bargains in
country homes and they are quietly
buying up all the land they want for
themselves and as much more as they
can carry for a speculation.
'My advice to those who want sub
urban real estate is TO buy at once.
For the past decade or more, people
have been crowding to the cities.
Now, however, a reverse movement to
the country is beginning which pro-
misses to be the greatest shifting in
population since the institution Of the
railroads. Within the next ten or
more years the building Of suburban
homes should rival the growth Of the
automobile, good roads, the movies,
the monograph or radio!
'1n fact, these inventions make
possible the suburban movement. A
few years ago country homes were
limited to the rich or TO those en-
ployed in the country, Now automo-
biles have come within reach Of the
great middle class Of people They
are increasing at the rate Of more
than a million a year. Ten years ago
there were 100000 passenger auto
mobiles in the United States. Today
there are about ten million, which
is an average Of one car to about
every ten people! They are bringing
new and better roads and opening up
millions of acres Of hitherto inacces-
sible land. The more purchased, the
more families there are who can have
a suburban home, even tho the bread
winner must work in the city. Wage
earners during the last period of
prosperity spent their money for
motor cars, in the next period of
prosperity they will buy country
homes.
"The motion picture has put the
local town hall on a par with the
city theater. The motor truck is
giving the rural or suburban dweller
nearly the same freight and express
facilities as has the city.
Motor bus lines are covering rout-
es which never could be served by
trolly cars. Automobiles are bringing
the schoolhouses and the village to
within few minutes Of the country
NOME. NDdIl SlOlto ellt NtAi ilH ~
every community the same efficient
merchandising as the city dweller
enjoys. Last, but not least the radio,
especially if developed on General
Sources wired basis, gives to sub
urban homes the finest city lectures
and music.
"The reason for suburban expan-
sion, however, is not alone the at
traction of a country home. In the
cities congestion Of dwelling house
space and high rents long have been
brewing discomfort. For more than
five years now these conditions have
existed. Rebellion on the part Of the
rent payer is reaching the point Of ex-
posion. Almost any kind of a change
would be attractive. Once the aver
age city worker realizes that with a
few hundred dollars and a flivver he
can get a house Of his own with all
the lands he needs, the chances are
two TO one he will move!
"The city no longer has n wall
around it. Railroads make the first
breach, but the railroads opened up
only narrow strips along their lines
rediating from the city. In most
cases the railroads followed the val
legs and lowlands, which are not the
best building location. Between
these lines are miles Of land much
more desirable for building, but which
have been inaccessible to the COM
muter because men had no means of
getting to the train. 1t is in these