Evening star., 1946-12-29
Builders Here Warn Veterans
On Get-Homes-Quic Schemes
By Miriom Gutenberg

A warning to Washington vet
Grams to protect themselves from
get-homes- quick schemes came last
night from the Home Builders Asso-
ciation of the Metropolitan area as
it went ahead with its plans to help
out the veterans who invested their
savings with Real Estate Operator
George H. Williams.
To help other veterans protect
themselves, Ernest F. Henry, execu-
tive director of the association, out
lined a nine-point program of dos
and donts for home-hungry vet
Grams.
At the same time, Association
President Edward r. Carr said he
hoped the precautions urged by the
association would acquaint all vet
Grams with the risks to be run In
home purchasing and prevent a
repetition of the difficulties in which
nearly 200 now find themselves.
The 200 veterans paid $500 to
81 900 on homes promised by Will
liams in nearby Maryland. They
have got neither the homes nor
their money back and williams has
been declared bankrupt. The as
sociation is now working on details
of a plan to give them homes at
reduced cost to make up for their
potential losses in the Williams deal.
Several Sites Considered,
Mr.. Carr said he had preliminary
information on several sites where
so to 100 homes could be built under
association sponsorship for the vet
Grams who placed deposits with Will
liams. He said he would have
the list of sites complete by jan
uary 4, when the veterans will meet
again at the District Veterans Serv-
ice Center.
The association president reported
that he has received a number Of
calls from builders, subcontractors
and dealers in materials he had not
been able to reach earlier. The
men called voluntarily, he said, to
offer their materials and services
at substantial discounts in order to
build homes at reduced cost for the
veterans who invested with Williams.
For other home-seeking veterans,
Mr.. Henry urged these precautions:
/. The way to avoid pitfalls is to
deal only with responsible people in
the various fields of the real estate
industry. Before dealing with any
one about the purchase or construc-
ton of home, be sure he is not
only licensed to do business but is
thoroughly experienced in that field
and has an excellent record of hon.
esty and performance. Banks, build
ing and loan associations and other
local institutions of long standing
can and will give you advice OF this
sort. Don't be talked out of a rea-
sonable investigation by glib
tongue.
Investigate Before Paying.
2. In choosing home, remember
it is probably one of the largest busi-
ness transactions you may ever enter
into. Make haste slowly and inves-
tigate before you invest.
s. BEFORE you put up any uiOilcy,
be sure you have a written contract
which contains all the terms and
conditions of purchase. An oral un-
derstanding has no legal value in
real estate transaction.
4. In buying home, watch out
for extras. Your written contract
should include all the items you
intend to buy with the house. II q
salesman indicates certain things
are included, be sure he puts them
in the contract. If something he
promised is left out of the COM
pleted house, you have no claim II
it wasn't in the contract. II you
have any doubts about the contract,
consult some one you have conf