Evening star., 1934-05-28
85 OF 100 HOMES
NEED RENOvz|NG
Depreciation Figures Re-
veaIed in Stars Better
Homes Drive.
BY VINCENT TUTCHING.

Taking the country as a whole,
building statisticians estimate there
are only Is homes out of every 100
that need no remodeling, repairing or
refurnishing of any kind.
A national study of the situation
has revealed fully IS per cent of all
the homes in the United States need
new plumbing painting, redecorating,
re-roofing or some kind of improve
ment.
These staggering deductions disclose
at once the tremendous volume OF
property deterioration that has taken
place during the so-called depression
era. For reasons of economy, thou
sands of homes have gone paint
thirsty; needed repairs have been post
poned: desirable additions and alter
ations delayed. and various other
forms of property upkeep put OH.
Home Values Decline.
The consequence is not only the
depreciation of homes and the decline
in property values; it has resulted IN
a veritable log jam in the far-reacn-
ING and all important building trades.
By far the greatest proportion OF un-
EMPLOYMENT in the country today lies
In this normally active field.
Business men and private citizens
In the District and nearby Suburbs
have been quick to realize the pene-
fits which might be derived from at
tacking the tagging building industry
from this point of least resistance.
They are lending wholehearted IN
dorsement and active support 10 the
81 600 Better Homes Contest now be-
ing sponsored throughout the metro
politan area by The Star.
With this contest providing the IN
centive to modernize, home owners In
washington and the nearby communl-
ties of Maryland and Virginia are
given a rare opportunity to improve
their properties and at the same Time
compete for worthwhile cash awards
in a competition costing nothing 10
enter.
Reward Two Glasses.
The Stars prizes-14 in all-wlu pe
awarded in two classes. for improve
nenIS 10 IlUIllCS Nd40IN oS ~A-'SSN >N-~
over. and for projects on houses ap =
praised at less than that tlgure. In
each class. the prizes will be: First
prize. $3.50: second prize, sl00; third
prize, $50, and four honorable mention
prizes of $25 each.
In addition to these awards. the
Washington Board OF Trade voted a
500 cash award for the outstanding
landscaping improvement undertaken
during the period OF the contest
April Is to September Is.
AS an inducement to citizens asso-
ciatious to take an active interest in
the movement, The Star has allotted
a special 500 cash prize to be award
ed to the civic group showing the
best results in community modern
ization campaign.
Scores of neighborhood associations
have taken hold of the contest, organ
izing special committees and Tying
souadrons" of workers to canvass every
community to spread the thought oi
home renovation and property i'm
prcvement. The Star has had liter
ature and contest entry blanks pre-
pared for the use of these groups nl
conducting their drives. -
Home Check-ups Urged.
Whether or not the home owner
is thinking of undertaking improve
ments, it is always good policy to
make periodical check-ups on the
home.
Just out of curiosity, If nothing
else, place a check mark opposite any
of the items on the following list
Give your house possible score OF
100 per cent, taking off five per cent
for each deficiency. Then see how
your home ranks.
!. Needs repainting, exterior.
2. Needs repainting. interior.
3. Needs new plumbing.
4. Roof leaks.
5. No insulation.
6. Furnace CRATES burned out OF
heating plant needs repair or re-
placement.
7. Wallpaper torn or discolored.
s. Window shades worn.
9. Plaster cracked or fallen out.
10. Bad electric wiring.
IL. Not enough electric outlets
switches, circuits. etc.
u. Inconvenient floor plan.
13. Not enough room for family
need addition.
IA. Not enough windows or windows
badly placed.
Is. Bad architecture.
16 Need closets and built-in fea-
lures.
IT. Exterior wall deteriorated.
l8. Framework sagged, broken or
out of place.
10. Floors need replacement or re-
pair.
% Need weather. strippin9