Evening star., 1936-10-17
HOME BUILDING.
URGED BY EXPERT
Magazine Writer Points to
Advantages and Gives -.
Advice.

Build Now" Is the advice given by
j. A. Hall in q recent issue Of Amer.
acan Homes.
Before offering this unbiased opin-
ion Hall made an exhaustive study Of
conditions in more than 200 COM
munities throughout the country. In
urging the thousands Of families who
are discussing this all-important ques-
tion at the present time to build
now," he presents definite reasons
why home construction should be ex-
pedited.
Many persons purchased lots be-
fore the depression and have been
waiting for an advantageous time to
build. Some still hesitate, fearing to
meet unsatisfactory mortgage condi-
tions. Others apparently believe that
large sums of money must be imme-
diately available for construction.
There are, too, those people who, pur-
chasing land on the installment plan,
have completed payments recently but
are at a loss to know the best method
OF building procedure.
Shortage of Homes.
The answer to these problems, Hall
says, Is that there is great shortage
OF homes in many sections. which will
naturally increase the demand for
building and may bring to realization
. threatened labor shortage.
To those who already have lots,
Mr.. Hall points out that the Federal
Housing Administrations program Of
fers assistance. Through its plan OF
insured long-term mortgage flnanc-
ing the free and clear lots that these
people own can generally act as the
entire or major part of the down pay
ment on a new home, with the bal
ance payable in convenient monthly
installments about the same as rent.
Insured mortgage loans may be OBJ
tanned from private financial inStitu-
tions, approved by the Federal Hous-
ing Administration, for sums up to 30
per cent of the appraised value Of
land and buildings.
Get Expert Advice.
Hall suggests that, should there be
question of the suitability of the lot
and the neighborhood in which the
contemplated home is to be located,
a responsible local real estate man be
consulted.
The advice of a reliable architect
Is also recommended for economic
selection of materials, building ma
terials, etc. His practical Judgment
in many cases may save many times
more than the amount OF his fee.
The architects supervision, in addi-
ton to that given by the Housing
Administrations representatives dur
ing construction, offers the prospective
home owner double assurance Of sub
stantial construction of his home.
In the old-time mortgage prac-
tices, Hall said, the chief question
was whether the property would sell
for the required amount should FORE
closure be necessary. The insured
mortgage system of the Federal Hous-
ing Administration takes into con-
sideration the ability of the applicant
to pay for the home. 1t discourages
any prospective home owner from as
suming a larger financial burden than
he many conveniently carry.
1.-The country today is short very
nearly two million homes" Hall states.
s'Norrnal construction, which runs
about 100000 annually, during the
past few years has dropped to an
average Of about 5,00o Families who
have doubled up are seeking their
own homes again just as fast as en-
ployment is assured. Marriages are
now on the increase, and these new
families will require homes. Rents
will necessarily rise as a result of
housing shortage. Those who can
afford to build now will find that
homes may be soundly and readily
constructed under the advantageous
terms of the Federal Housing plan"