Evening star., 1925-09-15
BUYERS OF FLORIDA
LAND ARE WARNED
Some Offered for Sale Here
Misrepresented, Business
Bureau Inquiry Says.

Many Washingtonian are losing
money on worthless Florida real es-
tate through timeworn tricks of high
pressure statesmen, misleading state
ments. distorted maps and plats,
promises of re-sales at a profit never
fulfilled and subtle and misleading
literature. 1t was revealed today in a
statement by the Better Business
Bureau, closely followed by warning
to the Washington public in a state
ment issued by John A. Petty, execu-
tive secretary Of the Washington Real
Estate Board.
One official of the Better Business
Bureau states that in the many cases
that have come before them in regard
to the purchase Of Florida property
from high-pressure statesmen the bu-
reau has noted losses ranging from
S25 to $4,000.
Scores of purchasers of Florida
property have been visiting the Better
Business Bureau and the Washington
Real Estate Board with their troubles,
with the result that both these organi-
cations have made a number of in
vestigations.
The Better Business Bureau In it's
statement today points out that Of
ferings Of Florida land have been
made in the National Capital on
which there could hardly be any pos
sible chance Of development or which
would probably never increase in
value to the price now asked
Worthless Land Offered.
Mr. Petty in his warning states that
there are invariably a number of wild
cae schemes promoted by irresponsible
aY-yt yts.e.
caution on the part of Washingtonians
contemplating the purchase of Florida
lands.
Howard Cool, director of the Better
Business Bureau. states that he Is be-
SeiSed by people requesting informa-
ton in regard to some of the Florida
now on sale in Washington,
and that. while investigations have
established the fact that there are
many legitimate and profitable devel-
opments in Florida on the market,
many worthless and overvalued sAJes
are being made.
Both Mr.. Petty and the Better Busi-
ness Bureau in their statements warn
the Washington public to properly in
vestfgate contemplated purchases of
Florida land and to assure themselves
that they are buying the legitimate
sales offered here.
According to Mr.. Cool, chambers of
commerce and realty boards and other
of reputable men in Flor
ida are endeavorinE to broadcast
pressure statesmen now flooding the en-
tire country and Washington selling
Florida property. Mr.. Cool states that
the INSCRIPTIONS operators are not
only damaging the reputation and busi-
ness Of the land-Selling compa anies who
are here dealing with their customers
but are ''robbing the guilt
bic and inexperienced investor of his
sa Wings"
The statement issued by the Better
Business Bureau reads. in part:
1T has been revealed that many
land promoters have gone into the
back woods of the State and bought
land for S25 TO S35 an acre, which
they lay out on an attractive plat.
getting 10 or IL lots to the acre and
them at prices ranging from
500 to $500 each.
Sales are effected primarily on the
strength of the so-called Florida boom
and by deals of sudden wealth at
tained by some few who have been
successful in trading during the past
year. These sales are effected on the
strength of the momentum and
Nationwide enthusiasm rather than
on the actual merits Of the property
offered.
Distorted maps and plats are in
evidence and subtle misleading ad-
vertisements worded in such a way
that the prospective customer will
read into them something that they
did not actually say.
The bureau urgently recommends
to all prospective purchasers of
Florida land that they use marked
discretion in the selection of the COM
pany from whom their purchase is
made, and also cautions the mex
perienced investor to beware of
promises. Reputable companies do