Evening Star Newspaper, June 15, 1935, Page 20

" B—4 = MORE FOR MONEY SEEN INBUILDING Homes Have Best Ideas in Years at Low Cost, Ed- itor Asserts. @pecial Dispatch to The Star. NEW YORK, June 15.—Some prominent Eastern home builders and residential contractors are setting a, fast pace for the rest of the country to follow, according to J. B. Mason, Eastern editor of the American Builder. “Especially in the low price class,” said Mr. Mason, “they are giving more livability per dollar today than ever in history. Some of the new model small homes selling for $4,490, $5,550 and $6,600 are constructed and equipped amazingly well. Large, well- planned rooms, the latest in heating and plumbing, tile bath and insulated basement recreation rooms are being offered. “Many of these small homes com- pare more than favorably with the $10,000 residences of 1929. Of course, & lot of speculative profit and high costs have been squeezed out of the building business since 1929. Land Costs Down. “Land costs are, in many cases, down 50 per cent. Labor costs, re- gardless of union rates, are at least 25 per cent less, and materials 15 per cent less. “In addition, builders have been willing to take a smaller profit. They are on their toes, and in this competi- tive market are giving more than ever before for the building dollar. “While the home-building industry was in the doldrums, the architects, builders and producers of materials had plenty of time to create new plans and invent new conveniences. “The current pick-up in home sales has brought out a surprising number of new improvements that make liv- ing easier, more comfortable and more economical. “Certain metropolitan areas around New York, Washington, Philadelphia and Baltimore are, in effect, labora- tories where really fine innovations in home planning originate. Best Ideas Developed. “More residential building is con- centrated in one or two small suburban areas in the East than any similar section of the country, With a huge market to draw manufacturers have developed some of their best ideas. “The model homes now being opened in these Eastern communities are a revelation. pactly arranged that the five and six room houses have the livability of former seven and eight room homes. “Operative builders have developed & new technique of building one pme in a tract and opening it to the pub- lic as a model or sample home. At the same time they start three or four or half a dozen other houses nearby. By the time these other houses have been finished they have been sold to people who came out to see the model house. Thus a surprisingly high per- centage of the so-called speculatively built houses are actually sold before completion. . “Practices of builders vary, but here are a few of the popular features of current model homes in the East: “Compact plans that save steps, make the housework easier and re- duce upkeep costs. Heating Units Efficient. “Thorough insulation coupled with modern automatic heating equipment that is remarkably efficient. Fuel costs are cut in two. Many builders now guarantee that heating costs will be under a certain low figure. One Westchester New York bullder, for example, guarantees his seven-room homes to heat for less than $100 a year. “Many of the model homes have lively new color combinations, stream- line designed kitchens, indirect light- ing, concealed radiation or forced filtered installations. “Basement areas are reduced to cut costs and what space there is is fully used. Some of the new base- ment recreation rooms with built-in bars are the most attractive spot in the houze. Home buyers have more fine fea- tures to pick and choose from than ever before. The choice of styles and equipment is wide, and for the first time in five years long-term financing i available, thanks to the Federal Housing Administration, which per- mits purchase of a home with a med- erate down payment and the balance paid like rent. “Building students feel that the current pick-up in residential con- struction is just a drop in the bucket compared with what is ahead. They see a large and sustained home build- ing program ahead.” FAIRFAX HOME LOANS REACH $8,725 TOTAL Vienna Trust Co. Announces 21 Applications Completed for Improvements. Epecial Dispatch to The Star. FAIRFAX, June 15.— Twenty-one loans, aggregating $8,725, have been made by the Vienna Trust Co., local bank co-operating with the Federal Housing Administration, for county home impgovement, since the F. H. A. began functioning locally, it has been announced by G. Norman Cobb, cashier of the bank. Loans range in amount from $70 to $1,400, the cashier said, and have been made only in cases where im- provements and alterations were ac- tually advisable. In each case, it was pointed out, those desiring such loans must show their annual income to be at least five times the annual payments on the note, and furnish the bank with 8 credit statement. Lack of funds has made it necessary for the bank'to de- cline a number of loans, it was stated. $15,950 Must Be Sold 5 Bedrooms—2 Baths. 2-Car Brick Garage. 4301-17st N.W. West of 16th St.. in & most refined neighborhood; south Dosures: an 'imposing center-hall- lanned corner home surrounded by . screens. weath s wnings, Opportunity is at hand for & shrewd buyer o secure an exceptional value. Open Sunday, 2 to 6 L. T. GRAVATTE on, builders and | They are so com- | Realtor 729 15th St. National 0753 REAL ESTATE. Attractive New Homes in Metropolitan Area Recently Sold Upper left: Colonial residence of six rooms and two baths, at 7120 Hampden lane, Greenwich Forest, Md., purchased by James H. Shan- non from the Cafritz Co. Upper right: Home at 6505 Barnaby street, zold to Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Snodgrass for Barnaby Woods Development Co. by the Thos. J. Fisher Co. Below: 6355 Utah ave- nue, Chevy Chase, purchased by J. C. Saunders from the H. G. Smithy Co. through the offices of the Edw, J. Jones & Co., Inc. —Star Staff Photos. WO00D TEST NECESSARY Jabbing With Knife Tells if It Has Become Unsound. Structural and other wooden mem- bers in a building may become un- sound if subjected to alternate wet and dry conditions. For the ends of joists embedded in ma- |sonry foundation walls may become | unsound if the walls of the basement are damp and poorly ventilated Similar damage to other parts of the building may occur as a result of a leak in the roof or eaves, loosened or deteriorated flashing, improperly constructed or unpainted windows, and the like. The wood may be tested by jab- bing it with the point of a jack- | knife. If it is soft and spongy, or | if the wood fibers break off as | though very brittle, it is likely that | structural reinforcements are neces- sary. Badly deterioraied parts should be replaced. Then, ol course, the | building should be repaired, damp- proofed and kept properly ventilated THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, | e r—— [ | | example, | in order to prevent further structural deterioration. already occurred may be repaired under the modernizaiion credit plan of the Federal Housing Administra- tion. LONG TERM Mortgage Loans Monthly Payments of | Otbher plans of : [financing first morigage loans available. | | | an All-Electric Kitchen OPEN DAILY AND SUNDAY Out Conn. Avel to Aspen St. (one block morth to Leland), turn west 1% blocks to property. ; eauti!u $6:60 on each $1,000 borrowed, include interest and pay off loan in 20 years. ® Ingerest charged only on unpaid balance of principal. ® Amount loaned—up to 6070 of appraised value. ® Valuable prepayment ptivi- leges. '| H. L. RUST COMPANY | § 1001 Fifteenth Street National 8100 New Home Il im Exclusive Meadowbrook Developed by Monroe Warren A 121 Aspen St,, Chevy Chase, Md. An all brick Colonial, 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Living room with wood-burning fireplace. This is Health home. Equipped with automatic oil furnace and hot-water heat. Also 1 Other 3-Bed-Room Home Just Completed (/%(Ww A Restricted Community Damage which has | J FirsT SHOWING . .. A WONDERFUL NEW BRICK HOME . ® i 6615 7th St. N.W Come out today and see the finest new-home bargain in all Washing- ton. Six wonderful, big rooms, two colored tile baths, finished attic, fireplace, big, modern kitchen with dinette, lot 45x110, wooded. A REAL HOME AT A LOW PRICE! Built B FRANK FANNING, Inc. 6431 Barnaby St. Chevy Chase, D. C. Washington’s Popular New Section & A wood paneled living room wall, with fireplace and built-in bookcases. Ideal kitchen and break- fast table. Three large bed rooms, and NINE closets. Two baths and shower, insulated ceiling. Standard oil burner and General Electric kitchen equipment. 2-car garage and a large front lawn and rear garden beautifully landscaped. CLAUDE G. JOHNSON, Builder COL. 7013 416 Shepherd St. From Conn. Ave, out Nebraska Ave. to Utah; left on Utah to Barmaby Street, right to 6431, Open Daily and Sunday SATURDAY, JUNE 15 1935. BOARD SALES HIGH | 8pecial Dispatch to The Star. SIOUX FALLS, 8. Dak., June 15.— An unusual merchandising feat is reported by a building material con- | cern whose sales records show a quar- ter million square feet of wallboard nd insulstion board has been sold | in the past six months in the Black | Hills section. The sales were con- fined to a territory 100 miles square in the western part of the State. The | population i this area is approxi- | mately 50,000. The company reports that this sales record is about a ritory for any six-month period dur- | ing the past five years. Isoo per cent increase for that ter-| Don’t Fail to See THIS HOME 2739 Chesapeake St. .(Forest Hills) A home that is only 10 months old, on a beautiful wooded lot 70x105 feet. Center-hall Co- lonial, 8 large rooms, finished attic, 3 baths, recreation room, large side porch, 2-car garage built-in *and many other fea- tures that you will find only in a custom-built home. OPEN ALL DAY SUNDAY rih on Conn. Ave. to Albe- urn t 3 blocks to Lin- left to Chesapeake St. Tower Bldg. DL A SUPERB VALUE 4612 Nottingham Drive Chevy Chase, Md. $9,950 A beautiful brick home on & large lot in this charming section ... 6 large rooms (the three bed rooms are the largest we know of), 2 lovely baths, finished attic, well insulated; electric kitchen and re- frigeration, open fireplace, slate roof, copper flashings and detached -nb-:- HEALTH HOM Open Saturday afternoon, all day Sun- day and every ajternoon. Drive oxt Wis- consin_Ave. 1 block south of Bradiey Lane, turn left a few doora to home. Phillips & Canby Nat. 4600 Investment Bldg. s 8 0 Alu— HEALTH HOME Open Daily and Sun- day, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. REAL ESTATE, HOME CONSTRUCTION INCREASE $358,000 Baltimore Buildings Bureau Fig- ures Cover First Five Months of Year. Special Dispateh to The Star, BALTIMORE, June 15—An In- crease of $358,000 in the estimated cost cf home construction authorized in Baltimore thus far this year, as compared with the first five months of 1934, s reported by the Bureau of Buildings. Permits have been issued so far this year for 132 dwellings at an es- timated eost of $483,000, as compared with 30 dwellings at an estimated cost of $125,000 for the same period last year. Last month permits were fasued for the construction of 48 dwellings valued at $192,000, the total for this class of construction during the pre- ceding morth being 44. The figures reflect the gradual Increase in the construction of homes now under way. the last two months showing totals in excess of previous months. Last month improvements, addi- tions and alterations totaled $979,680, as contrasted with $840.420 for the preceding month and $1,003.800 for May, 1934, Dwelling construction last month was the largest single item in the list. PriLY = il pr7 Screens Balk Insects. The fullest enjoyment can be ob- tained by using open porches on hot days and evenings if they are entirely screened to keep out house flies, mos- quitoes, gnats, lake flies and other in- sects, which are not only frritating, but ecarriers of disease germs. 1928 BENNINGS RD. NE. Practically new, entirely modern in every detail and has just been so perfectly refinished, you would take it to be brand new. Is all brick, has six nice rooms, tiled bath, hot-water heat, hardwood floors, big airy cellar, three porches, new table-top gas range and is offered at this very low price for a quick sale. You will search far to find another value to equal this, so we suggest that you come out early to make a personal inspection. Ope;r Today and Sunday Metrop. 2663 Tower Bldg. Modern All-Gas English Home of Painted Brick The charm of this spacious English type home will be more than appreci- ated by those who desire the very latest NO. 20 in modern equipment. It stands on a sloping hillside beneath ABINGDON RD. sheltering trees and was built by Henry J. Connor, who has an enviable ) record for quality construction. There’s a very large living room with fireplace, 3 bed rooms, 2 baths, dining room connecting with colorful kitch- 513 750 en and pantry equipped with built-in [} cabinets. Spacious downstairs recreation room with wood-burning fireplace . . . gas heating plant and two-car garage also on this Juor. DIRECTIONS: Drive out Massachusetts Avenue to Westmorelgnd Circle, at the District Line. The ofice and entrance are on the circle, Loughboroxgh DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 1415 K Street N.W. NAtional 6370 IN BEAUTIFUL CHEVY CHASE 211 BRADLEY BOULEVARD LOCATION INSURES INVESTMENT & “Beautiful Boulevard” and surrounded with high-class homes, beautiful trees and parking Facing Insures Safety of your investment and an ideal place to reside. This beautiful home has 7 large rooms, 2 baths, garage, and is unequaled in construction, arrangement, equipment, location and price. If you are looking for & real home locatédl right, priced right, inspect this one. TO REACH Drive out Connecticut Avenue to Chevy Chase Club. turn leit on Bradley Lame and coniinue one block west of Wisconsin Avenue. Realty Associates, Inc. 1506 K Street NAtional 1438