Evening star., 1934-03-03
SPRING TO BRING
RENEWEDEFFQRT
!NHOME REPAIRS
Many improvements Needed
as Result of Depres-
sion Period.
RENOVIZING CAMPAIGN
STIMULATED INTEREST
Increased Valuation and Employ.
ment Brought by Caring
for Residences.
BY VINCENT TUTCHING.

With the approach of Spring the
time is at hand for home owners to
begin planning an attack on that
greatest enemy of the equity-depre-
citation.
Through the recent era of economic
stress the home-one of the founda-
ton pieces of American citizenship
has been miserably neglected. Last
Summer, stimulated by the Board Of
Trades renovizing campaign, some of
the Capitals belated home repair
work was undertaken. But much still
remains to be done.
Automobile men say that when a
car is driven a week it loses much OF
its market value. The same Is true
in most cases where wear and tear is
involved. 1t is certainly true of the
home.
Homes can be made even more
physically valuable than before by lit
orally ok ping them young" This
becomes more important than ever II
there is a mortgage on the home, for
the value of the equity must be main
tanned.
Building Prices Rise.
Building prices have scared in the
last couple Of months, but still they
are below the 1929 level by several
percentage points. Compared with the
1926 index of 100, the current Gov
ernment figures put building material
costs at 863 At the end of 1929 this
index number was 94.3.
There obviously is no expenditure
more justified or wholesome in every
respect than adding to home comfort
and convenience. and beaut'fying the
dwelling. A great deal OF obsoleS-
cence has taken place in the last three
years Houses have needed repalnting
and redecorating: they have needed
new plumbing. roofing and all kinds
OF repairs.
The suggestion of Arthur B. Heaton:
Washington architect ana olrectoi U!
the Capitals "renovize campaign last
year. that 500 be spent on each OF
800 900 neglected homes In America
is a commendable one. 1t woulo
mean pouring s80,00O,000 into the
channels of building construction at
one stroke-a sizeable stimulant to
this depressed industry.
Many Advantages.
Modernizing is a form of work that
Is needed, that can be financed ana
that gives employment to the largest
possible number of workers, directly
and indirectly. It puts money into
circulation as few other projects can.
It lessons the need for direct employ
ment relief by putting self-respecting
men to work
The promotion Of this work need
not await an organized campaign, al
though a movement of that sort un-
uuestionably would serve to focus
public attention on the need for mod
ernizing and perhaps tend to make
the home owner "renovize conscious" ="
During recent years there have been
great advances in the science Of air
conditioning insulation, the invention
of new types of stainless metal
plumbing, new floor coverings and so
on. Although there is plenty of
money in the country the sale of all
the products going into the making OF
a good home has been slow because
of the timidity of those who have
money.
DiSregarding for a moment the pos.
sibility of new construction con-
tributing to recovery in the building
industry, consider for a moment the
will not be missed.
It is a fact that when home
owner begins TO repair or remodel his
home he sees Immediately the strong
desirability of continuing the process.
One improvement leads to another,
and the number of Improvements that
can be made without any great ex-
pense is surprising.
The newer ways of building afford
many methods for improving the value
Of the stake you have in your house.
One highly important fact is that 1t
shows your creditor-if you have one
that you are substantial citizen and
have faith in yourself and your home.
A little touch of paint, the welding
of saw and hammer, little work
with plumbin. tools, and wonders will
be performed in preserving the home
equity
And in turning thoughts to the
modernization of the home today, the
home owner will find the task Is not
nearly as appalling as 1t was some
years ago.
In planning the modernization job
check the house over carefully. 1t
might be advisable to call in an archi-
tect or other expert in building to OBJ
tain intelligent advice.
1t is important also to review the
market carefully before launching into
the modernization project. New prod
ucts and adaptations of older mate
rails are constantly being used and In
many cases with greater success than
the materials they replace.