San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-09
last Two Weeks See Rent
Situation at Its Best so
kys Far This Year.
IANY' FLATS VACANT
But Rent Men Report In
b creased Demand AL
ID ready Apparent.

kmarkable decrease in the number of
buses for rent heI, has been notice
pie and according to several of the
ore prominent rent men in San An
mic, the rent situation today is bet
r than it has been during any time
|is year. Recent reports show that
bartments are still plentiful but an
Creased demand for them is also ap-
brent.
The two months prior to September
tobably saw one of the most serious
Friods in the rent situation of 1923,
tcording to reports of local real
tate men. During those two months,
(cant houses could be found through
BIT practically every residential dis
let of the city. A decided decrease
rents was felt by landlords.
But during the last week of August
I'D the first week of September an
creased demand began to relieve the
tuation. The numbers of rent houses
vertised began decreasing daily and
Fcording to some of the most promi-
int rent men in San Antonio there
Re fewer rent houses here today than
bring any other time of this year. 1t
believed by some of those reporting.
lat the increased demand is the re-
lit Of the return of many people from
cir vacations in time for theopening
the public schools. The improved
hool system as well as the additional
hildings and equipment is attracting
lndreds of people to San Antonio this
lar, the real estate men report.
Opperman Is Optimistic.
According to w. Opperman, man.
er of the rent department of the
pnness Realty Company, during the
fst week of September there were
vice as many homes rented by his
rm as were reported vacant. In
egust he says his records showed that
ere were five more houses vacated
anerented. This is the cause of Mr..
bperman's exceedingly optimistic
ew as to the rent situation for the
inning winter. saying that he believes
cal rent men will have considerable
|fficulty in supplying the demand for
sirable and up-tO-date rent houses.
Few Houses for Rent.
Wallace Rogers, of Rogers-Hill and
bmpany says that at present there
e only q few desirable five and six
ON bungalows and cottages vacant
the city and that he believes the
inter- will see an even greater de-
bnd. 1t is probable, he says, that
hters will find rents bit higher
d desirable houses more difficult to
cure. Stores are available in many
rtc ~ ha Int IN a
ort time. judging from the way in
hich the demand apparently is on an
crease, they will be scarce. Apart
ents and flats are being rented every
Y in large numbers, Mr.. Rogers re-
rts, and it is safe to predict that
Fst class houses as well as flats and
artments will be at a premium here
ring the next several months.
Demand May Increase.
P. z. Gragg, manager of Richey and
sey, real estate firm. says that
tnessed in his office during the last
10 weeks. He says he believes that
ring the coming winter the home
ilding boom as well as the rapid sale
houses will not interfere with the
mand for rent houses and apart
knts.
lowe, the rent man." says that
ere are few houses left in the city.
r. Lowe probably is one of the most
tive rent men in San Antonio and
always a reliable authority on the
ht situation. He says his waiting
y for rent houses is a long one
ready.
Old Shacks Improbable.
Several of the men handling rental
operties say that these optimistic
ews should not be taken to include
Id shacks" or houses that have been
owed by landlords to run down and
into shabby, disrepair. There are
lny such houses in San Antonio and
actically all of them are vacant be-
use the building of nearly 1000 new
mes in the last year and the con-
tuction of new houses for rental pur-
ses have made old, dilapidated
uses no longer profitable. Houses
lat are implanted. with doors and
ndows broken, with no proper san
ry equipment. infested by cock
hches and insects, ilkkept yards and
thout garages or fence are practi-
lily unrentable. Such properties are
t profitable, rent men say, because
increased city taxes and other ex-
nses. II they can be rented at all,
viii be at rates that will not make
equate returns on the valuations.