The Wilmington morning star., 1945-12-14

immediate loans for home build
ing now in Wilmington. "Associa.
tions here have streamlined their
business operations, cut red tape
and the minute materials are
available, they will give quicker
service than has ever been given
before"
Wiuetts does not think govern
ment agencies in this community
should undertake any building pro-
gram now, with materials becom-
ing available. '"The job done by
Federal Housing authority and
other government agencies in New
Hanover county, however. is moth
ing short of mira culous,' Willetts
said. II have sat in on several
meetings of the committee appoint
: ed to handle surplus housing in
Wilmington, and the problem here
is well in hand"
Wilmington realtors do not fore.
see ful-blown housing boom in
New Hanover county for a variety
of reasons. *-.
Ward, Of -Foster-Hin company
said he did not believe a boom was
in prospect because:
Rental ceilings have restricted
building.
High labor cost has caused prices
Of houses to mount.
Materials are harder, to get now
than at any time.
Strike OF steel workers in De-
troit and Of the lumber workers
in the West, which is the source
of much of the finished wood ma
terials, will delay home building.
Willetts believes a price-ceiling
on houses will restrict homebuild-
ing more than any other one factor.
Gas soon as homes are built in
sufficient quantities.. he said, ito
take care OF the demand, prices
will automatically adjust them
selves"
If the legislation Is not enacted
and the ceiling is not imposed on
houses prices, Willets predicts
boom in home building here.
Never in history of home financ-
ing have Wilmington and New
Hanover county citizens had avail
able to them as much local money
or better loaning plan and ser
vice that. Wilmington. building and
loan associations offer today"
Opinions Of the realtors as to
the price-range in which the local
the biggest increase. are also at
variance. 49,. ..--..-
'"The $1,000 to $4,000 homes
will show the biggest increase"
Willetts says. "And there will be
a tremendous boom in that price
range, because no such homes
have been built here for the past
five years."
w. A. Fonvielle believes most
of the houses built in the immedi-
ate future in Wilmington will range
in price from $500 up, in what
is called the medium price
range"
Ed D. Ward also said most of the
houses built would begin in price
at $500 and range upward, be-
cause, "Costs OF materials and
labor have jumped the prices of
houses. Houses which used to sell
for $4,000 now sell for $780,"
All Of the realtors were high in
their praise for the public housing
projects In Wilmington, and the
fashion in which they were built
and are managed.
e l.. White, chairman Of the
Advisory committee for the dis
posal Of war housing, announced
that the committee will meet Dec.
49, at 3 p. m. in the Lake Forest
housing office to begin a tour of
inspection OF public housing in Will
mington.
Meanwhile, all Wilmington real
tors and all prospective home
builders In New Hanover county
had their eyes turned to Washing
ton where debate on President
Trunan's proposals have begun.
The outcome of the debate will
have q large bearing on the size
and extent of building in Whining
ton, the realtors say, but under
any, conditions local loan associa-
tions are able to handle any in
creased volume of business, no