Evening Star Newspaper, May 4, 1935, Page 21

REA L ESTATE. BROUPPLAN URGED IN MODERNIZNG Leading Architect Suggests Entire City Blocks Be In- cluded in Program. Group modernization of entire city blocks, in place of the present “retail” program of the Federal Housing Ad- ministration, is advocated by D. Knickerbacker Boyd of the Philadel- phia Chapter of the American Insti- tute of Architects. “There are those who assert,” Mr, Boyd says, “that too much new hous- ing in any given section of a city will upset the values of older homes in nearby areas. Such a statement, however, at once makes a valid argu- ment in favor of proceeding with such & program. For the older properties will then be in line for moderniza- tion, not by each owner as an in-| dividual, but by all owners in ench: block collectively. | “While such a procedure might be but one part of the program in those | cities which can offer plans for their| development, the block moderniza- | tion feature can be put into opera- tion in any city, and at once. f “The recent enactment of the Pres-| {dent’s huge work-relief bill will make | 1t possible for certain of our American cities to correct some of the errors of their thoughtless youth ghmughI broad programs of rehabilitation. All that would be required would be in- telligent selection of locality, capable | direction and co-operation of owners.| One House as a Model | “After any block was determined | upon, a property could be selected and arrangements made with its owner to remodel with private funds or through the Federal Housing Adminis- tration loans. This house as it was being improved could be a constant exhibit and afford an inspiration to| all other owners in the block and neighborhood. “To carry out this idea of group | modernization, the Federal Housing Administration might inaugurate & hew ‘block’ program, as distinguished {rom its present ‘retail’ set-up, where- by individual architects would be com- missioned to handie each of the va- rious blocks assigned to them. “It appears that property owners | and landlords for the most part loath | to spend money for improvements,, even though such expenditures would be actual paying investments; but the loss of tenants through competition of | better buildings might do something | to stir up phlegmatic or recalcitrant householders. “All this would bring private funds | fnto play and would put numerous | architects to work while at the same | time providing the small contractor | and subcontractors opportunities to function and employ building crafts- | men. Another fine thing about such a program is that it can be launched at once. Long Range Program Seen, “It is hoped that these suggestions will result in collaboration between the various governmental agencies and| citles, and it is believed that, if car-| ried out, these combined programs would be & means of starting & long range development of blighted areas, for as the blocks are improved through | the yeais they will offer a succession | of work continually until the areas are completely remodeled or rebuilt. Thus would slums be eliminated and at no great burden of expense to any one at any time. “Each architect would be expected to show by photographs, sketches, schedules of cost and rental estimates the advantage of such block modern- tzation. It is & known fact that many | owners of property now dilapidated In an otherwise desirable block will not modernize their houses individ- ually, but would do so if assured that practically all other owners in the same block will do likewise. “To help induce the owners to take | part, the work of procuring the loans might be lessened by having the | F. H. A. employes assist the owners | in this phase. Also for its immediate | labor producing factor, the local works division of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration could put men to work demolishing the sheds, fences and so on, and assisting in cleaning up the open areas. | “Some owners of homes in almost | every block in any city are in a posi- tion today where, with renewed em- - ployment and restored wages, they would like to improve their properties but their paramount obligation is to | or to accept Government funds there- ) for unless it had previously prepared | worked-out plans for the city as a | have been most illuminating. | health and morals of the people and | | of the fair name and financial stand- THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, Colonial Brick Dwelling Sold This comfortable home, at 5810 Thirty-second street, was purchased recently by Mr. and Mrs. Earl Rickmier It contains seven rooms, two baths, a recreation room and & detached garage. from the Stroup Realty Co. pay off accumulated mortgage inter- ests and beck taxes. Under such con- ditions they are ineligible for F. H. A. guaranteed loans, but could refinance under the original terms of the Home Owners’ Loan Cnrp. reconditioning departments. Collaboration Suggested. “In States where reconditioning loans are being made, the local co- ordinator could arrange for collabo- | ration between F. H. A. and H. O. L.| C.and L. W. D. {n any complete block | modernization. And, for the rehabili- tation of blocks, as later mentioned, P. W. A. could join in the collabo- ration. 0 “Of course, there are those blocks where the residential buildings repre- | sent a small fraction of the total, and | unless the blocks were re-zoned, re- | modeling would be confined to the | present commercial or industrial buildings. “The block remodeling just de-| scribed could be accomplished in any | city and with private funds. But no | city would be in a position intelli- gently to advocate extensive physical | or social changes within its confines, comprehensive plans. “As a matter of fact, such funds would not be offered unless it could be shown that their expenditure would be in accordance with carefully- whole. In all the cities which have made them, these studies have re- sulted in introspective reviews which “They have disclosed facts and trends not in accord with the com- placent attitude of the citizenry as a whole, but indicative of the great need for prompt action by those in | authority for the preservation of the | ing of the community. On the Potomac Attractive modern house with 130 acres of land. Approxi- mately 80 acres of fine timber. House contains 9 rooms, 3 baths, is situated on high land with exceptionally beautiful view of the River. Delco plant supplies electricity and pumps spring water. 2-car, garage, tenant house and farm buildings. Apply to Laura Parlan, Inc. Nat. 4031 Bath Renovizing 0ld Idea. While more bath rooms are being | modernized today under the stimulus of the F. H. A. than ever before, the idea of renovizing this important rooi is not a new one. Excavations at Tell El-Amarnah have revealed that the| bath room in the house of a Myce- | naen merchant was replastered no less | than 11 times in a few years. | 211 Bradley Boulevard Facing a wide center park boulevard this magnificently Exterior trim tile drained foundation. Very latest in kitchen equipment. baths. electric home. slate roof, weather-stripped and screened through- Very light and airy basement. with insulated roof is one massive finished room. out. TO REACH Drive out Connecticut doens e to Chevy hase Club, turn left on Bradley 'Lane and continue on e block west of Wisconsin Ave. Interior trith well be called Price, $ Open Daily and Sunday 10 A.M. to 10 P.M. GOSS REALTY CO. m | cquipped with all modern conveniences, construction, and in finish. Designed by “Charles E. Wire” and built by “Marvin M. Wire.” You who wish a home should not miss this buy. —Star Staff Photo. Tourist Camps Use F. H. A, With the increasing preference of the public for tourist camps fully many proprietors of tourist camps are | utilizing F. H. A. loans to install plumbing fixtures with hot and cold | running water in all cabins. built home situated on a lot 60x110. SATURDAY, ELECTRICITY USES FACE EXPANSIO Federal Power Commission Shows Need of Modern- izing Homes. A recent report of the Federal Pow~ er Commission shows vhe great need of the modernization of homes, the Federal Housing Administration, which is insuring such loans under | the national housing act, announced recently. ‘The preliminary report of the com- missige gives information on domes- tic afid residential electric rates in effect on January 1, 1935, in cities of 50,000 population and over. An analysis of electric uses by 20,- 000,000 customers shows that only a relatively small percentage are equipped with major electrical equip- ment desirable for a high standard of living and home convenience. “All-Power” Users. . - ‘There are only 320,000 customers using electricity for all power, includ- ing lighting, small appliances, re- frigeration, cooking and water heat- ing. Of the total number of custom- ers, 13,350,000 use electricity only for lighting and small appliances. Less than one-third, or 6.500,000 custom- ers have electric refrigeration. Only 1,340,000 are properly equipped for electric cooking. It is expected that succeeding re- ports will present similar informa- tion on electric use in all the tho sands of communities which receive service, as well information on commercial, industrial and rural use. The survey only covered users in the larger cities, which, because of den-! sity of population, are probably the best equipped with electric service. It is quite likely, therefore, that when the data for the more sparsely settled See These New Detached Brick Homes $8,950. Terms. ‘These are the most unique homes we have ever had opportunity of offering at such a low price. ‘They are complete in every detail and contain many features found only in much higher-priced homes, including ELECTRIC KITCHEN HEALTH HOME Adjacent to Fort Slocum Park Sample Open to 9 P.M. Daily 5925 2nd Pl. N.W. Out any Street to Peabody St N.W. to 2nd Place. You will see our sign. WAPLE & JAMES, INC. 1226 14th St. N.W. Di. 3347 of fir and cypress. Furred walls, Seven large rooms, 2 A real No. 1 selected certificate Bangor Third floor with white pine. This home can the house beautiful, in location, in 12,750 s > Natl. 1353 1710 Flower Avenue $7,750 environment. o AllBrick o Slate Roof ¢ 5Large Rooms FIRST SHOWING—HIGHLAND VIEW OF SLIGO HILLS AN OUTSTANDING NEW HOUSE VALUE ON TODAY’S MARKET 1720 Flower Avenue $8,750 4 Overlooking the Beautiful Indian Spring Golf Course ; Attractively planned and custom built, these new homes are the last word in quality, design and Some of the Features o Tile Bath and Shower o Weather Stripped o Copper Screens Modern Gas Appliances o Lot 65x135 o Gas Heat Through the Co-opera- tion of the Washington Gas Light Company OPEN DAILY AND SUNDAY 9 AM. TO 9 P.M. HOW TO REACH: From traffic light on Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring go up Colesville Road across Sligo Park and turn right into Franklin Avenue direct to Flower Avenue. Or: Drive up Piney Branch Road through Sligo Park to Flower Avenue, then left to property. L. F. ROBERTSON—Owner and Builder 5320 8th St. N.W. Phone Georgia 4551 e Garage with Overhead Doors * were sold MAY 4, 1935. sections of the country are included the need for the modernization of homes will be even more apparent. Leans More Available. The national housing act is result- ing in loans for modernization work being more readily available, because they are insurable by the Federal Housing Administration. Under- the administration’s modernization credit plan, home owners may now improve their standards of living by modern- izing and improving their homes with needed electricgl wiring, fixtures and built-in equipnient. — REAL ESTATE BOND PRICES 60 HIGHER 3.1 Per Cent Rise in April Con- tributes to Net Gain of 12 Cents Since January 1. Real estate bond prices increased in market value an average of 3.1 per cent during April, contributing to & net increase of 12.6 per cent since January 1, according to the Amott- Baker realty bond price averages, which are based upon 200 represen- tative bond issues secured by proper- ties in Eastern cities. For the four months ending May 1, the first third of the year, the a nual ratio of average price increase | was 37.8 per cent, compared with an advance of 33.6 per cent in 1934, and ; 17.6 per cent in 1933. REAL ESTATE. # B-S & group, comprising one-fourth of the | issues in this monthly survey, again took the lead with a price increase of 5.7 per cent. Theater issues, repre- sented by 10 properties, were a clean rival with a 5¢ per cent gain. For the third consecutive month, Pitts- burgh’s 12 issues took the lead with an average price increase of 9.3 per cent. Buffalo’s eight issues advanced an average of 5.7 per cent. The 120 REALTY OFFICES OPEN Boswell & Brasure Co., Located at 923 Fifteenth Street. ‘The firm of Boswell & Brasure Co., has opened offices for real estate busi- ness at 923 Fifteenth street. W. Boswell, a member of the new organization, formerly was connected with William H. Saunders & Co., Inc., issues in greater New York stepped | and E. D. Brasure, jr., the other part- ahead 2.3 per cent on the average.|ner, has been well known in local The composite average appreciation for 200 issues was 3.1 per cent. real estate circles for the last 12 years. $22,500 3105 Cathedral Ave. N.W. A beautiful center-hall brick home—in this our finest section—built by Middaugh & Shannon, Living room, library, dining room, butler’s pantry and kitchen on first floor—four large bed rooms, one of which is a built-in sleeping porch; 2 baths and lovely closets on 2nd floor. 2 rooms and bath on 3rd floor. Two- car brick garage. Oil heat, large lot, beautifully planted. Worthy of your inspection—an unusual value. Open Sunday, 2 to 6 P.M. Phillips & Canby, Inc. Investment Bldg. Housekeeping apartment issues as| 1520 LOCUST ROAD N. W This home in select Shepherd Park is the last word in fine home requirements. Open for your inspection today and daily. “THIS 18 AN ELECTRIC KITCHEN HEALTH HOME" N.W. in 7 weeks)! Realtors Exclusive—But Not Expensive ! When you consider that these homes are lo- cated in one of Washington’s most aristo- cratic sections, bordering Rock Creek Park, Connecticut avenue and $50,000 es- tates, you are getting a remarkable value at the low price asked. BROWN BROS. OWNERS—COlumbia 1755—BUILDERS Na. 4600 NAtional 2040 3% Exhibit Home 2706 Cortland Pl. Located in the exclusive Woodley Park section, just west of Connecticut avenue, many modern features have bheen included in the construction and finish of these homes, such as furred walls, French paneled Sanitas walls in living room, dining room, kitchen and hall; entire basement plastered; stage with fluted columns in recreation room; furred walls in recreation room to insure protection against dampness, heat and cold; all millwork framed in; GAS HEAT; 7-cube Norge refrigeration, * There are only 7 of these super-quality, semi-detached brick homes in the pres ent project, and TWO have alrcady been SOLD! (The last group of seven homes Beautifully landscaped front yards with stone retaining walls, 3 large bed rooms, 2 high-tiled baths, garage, 16-ft. space between houses, first floor lavatory. See these homes before you buy anywhere!