Evening Star Newspaper, April 17, 1937, Page 26

REAL ESTATE. F.H.A MORTGAGE SYSTEM PRAISED Realtor, Recently With Gov- ernment, Cites Guaran- teed Values. The Federal Housing Administra- tion’s mutual mortgage insurance plan of home financing and the underwrit- ing department of the administra- tion were praised today by Albert E. Landvoigt, realtor, who left Govern- ment employment several months ago to head his own Washington real estate office. “Exclusive of farm homes, 5¢ per cent of the families in the United States occupy their own homes,” Landvoigt stated. “Few of those fami- lies paid cash or could have paid cash for their homes. The vast majority of them borrowed the money to build or buy these homes, and gave a mortgage on their property as se- curity for the loan. “Home ownership revolves about the mortgage system. On the soundness of that system depends, to a major degree, the soundness of home owner- ship. That fact should be well con- sidered by the prospective home owner. From his standpoint, if an unsound mortgage is written on his home that home is in jeopardy. From the lender’s point of view, an unsound mortgage means that he stands an excellent chance of losing money on the transaction. A sound mortgage is one that protects the interest of both the borrower and the lender. The inerests of both are interrelated and interwoven. F. H. A. Testifies to Soundness. “There are very good reasons why both borrowers and lenders have come to regard the Federal Housing Ad- ministration’s insured mortgage sys- tem as a sound method of mortgage writing. And the soundness of the insured mortgage system rests upon the judgment and integrity exercised by the Federal Housing Administra- tion’s underwriting staff in passing upon the qualifications of home mortgages submitted for insurance. “In exercising this function, the underwriting staff has won wide com- mendation for a major contribution to good practice in the home-mortgage fleld. For when the Federal Housing Administration insures a mortgage, the owner can feel assured that he has a sound mortgage on his home, that he has assumed an obligation that ne can afford, that he will be able to meet the monthly payments, that the home will be his with no indebted- ness at the end of the term for which the mortgage is written. Guarantee on Construction. “The lender is also reasonably sure of his investment, because he has an extra check on the ability of the b.rrower to pay for a home within a given price range without consuming too much of his income. And the lender also knows that the house, bought or bullt, is adequate security for the loan. “In the integral worth of that se- curity, the home owner can take a Justifiable pride for he has the satis- faction of knowing that his house is constructed according to a well-de- signed plan and proper specifications, that it is built of good materials by competent workmen, that it is ap- propriate to the neighborhood and that the neighborhood has a good chance of withstanding rapid depre- clation. Such a mortgage on such a home is a sound mortgage, and makes fo sound home ownership.” Housing (Continued From First Page.) well as features, good architecture in- stead of bad, long-term value instead of short-term price, quality that is underneath, as well as things that can be seen on the surface.” Widespread approval greeted the Forum’s “call to arms” to the Na- tion’s building industry when the magazine, seeking to test the validity of its study, presented its views in ad- vance to representatives of private in- dustry, public housing authority and the architectural profession. Dr. J. O. Downey of the economic research de- partment of General Motors Corp. ob- served that “the Forum plan is stimu- lating and constructive, it strives to Pprovide more and better for less. The full application of the plan would probebly permit several million addi~ tional families to purchase new homes now, and not be obliged to await the advent of a substantial increase in income.” Miles L. Colean, deputy adminis- trator of the Federal Housing Ad- inistration, commented that “the principles outlined for integrating dwelling design and construction must be indorsed by any one concerned with the problem of producing dwell~ ings which are at once soundly built, ‘conveniently planned and low priced.” From the architect’s standpoint, J. Andre Fouilhoux, member of a New York firm, stated that the Forum's study of integration will “help to bring about the co-operation absolute- Drive Down Chevy Chase Boulevard Tomorrow Choice home sites, long-distance view, close to Government Park, new homes all around. Will build to suit, all brick, 5 rooms & bath- or larger. Houses Now Available 4929 and 4935 Chevy Chase Boulevard 5 THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. Attractive Home in Hawthorne Lane S s i S et e oo New residence of Mr. and Mrs. Howard G. Nichols at 4636 Hawthorne lane, which was built for them by M. B. Swanson. ly necessary for the ultimate success of the new methods whose value or merit will be to give the public that which it has been waiting for a long time, i. e., cheaper houses.” “The critique of conventional house construction advanced by the advo- cates of prefabrication was essentially sound,” the magazine avers in arriv- ing at its conclusions, “and although they have failed to produce mass housing they have succeeded in pro- ducing an approach! In proposing belt-line consruction for houses, the prefabricators failed to recognize de- termining factors peculiar to the house construction industry. Many Special Factors. “These special factors are many, but foremost among them is the fact that houses, unlike other consumers’ goods, last a long, long time. It is because of their durability that houses are a long-term investment and the individual consumer is able to af- ford much more elaborate and costly housing then he might otherwise be able to do. This implies that houses must be kept at least reasonably up- to-date. And this has actually been done. The effect on the building business has been enormous. “During the past 50 or 60 years the house has improved tremendously. Central heat, gas piping, electric light and modern plumbing have succes- sively been added to the structural shell of the typical house. And for each of these improvements there has always existed two markets—the rela- tively small new house market and the much larger market represented by existing homes. Naturally, there- fore, each of these improvements was worked out in a form equally ap- plicable to existing houses and new ones. “During the same period the house has become an exceedingly eomplex DUPLEX mechanism, its production involved. Manufacturers of building products have of neceasity specialized, no one manufacturer producing more than a few of the vast number of parts mak- ing up & house. “And only recently,” the Forum concludes, “the advocates of total shop fabrication have begun to realize that their objectives can be accomplished only by the orderly integration of building as a whole, the integration of conventional as well as prefabri- cated construction technique. That, in other words, prefabrication can be reached only in the same way as other big advances in building have been made.” IVORY IS FAVORITE IN PLUMBING FIXTURES Replaces Green Color—Pastel Shades Sup- plant Vivid Hues. Green, for some years the favorite color for plumbing fixtures, has yielded first place to ivory, says the Plumbing and Heating Industries Bureau. Other popular colors are peach, soft tan, light brown and deli- cate blue. The soft pastel shades, including the greens, are preferred today to the vivid and theatrical colors that were widely used a few years ago. The popularity of fvory and its prominence in interior decorating to- day is attributed to its adaptability and conservatism. It can be used successfully under various lighting conditions and in innumerable com- || ' binations with other colors. HOMES That Will Pay for Themselves RENT YOUR SECOND FLOOR Exhibit Home 5115 New Hampshire Ave. N.W. 11 Sold Beautifully Farnished by HILDA MILLER ‘Why not SAVE MONEY and own & handsome home in a fine loca- tion on wide boulevard . . . 3 rooms and 2 baths on second floor, with concealed outlets for kitchen equipment if desired; living room, reception hall, ultra-modern kitchen and dining room on first foor. Basement, livable room (club or otherwise), tile bath (complete), furnace and storage room. Garage. OPEN DAILY AND SUNDAY. DRIVE OUT NOW AND SEE WHAT $9,150 WILL BUY 1515 KSt. NW. DIst. 3100 7811 Thirteenth St. N.W. (Shepherd Park) Designed for a happy family life with necessary space for entertaining, this home is an outstanding example of a group of 22 homes being built in this desirable location by H. G. Smithy Company. Its six fine rooms and two baths are sup- plemented by a pine-paneled library, with adjoining lavatory and exception: y large screened sleeping porch. Built to hest standards of construction and appointments, it may offer a satisfactory ending to your house-hunting troubles. Prices on this group begin at $13,950.00. To Reach: Drive out 16th St. to Kalmig 8t.; turn right on Kalmia St. to 13th St. THIS ISA;_ . ELECTRICKITCHEN _HEALTH HOM: Open Daily ond Sunday to 9 P. H.G. Smitkl] Co. NA. 5903. Reeitors. Builders. 15th St. N.W. —Star Staff Photo. MARYLAND FARM SOLD John D. Bailey of District Buys 8t. Clements Bay Property. LEONARDTOWN, April 17 (®).— John D. Bailey of Washington has bought the Hopton Park Farm of 81 acres on St. Clements Bay. The estate formerly belonged to Delegate Philip H. Dorsey, jr., a member of the State Legislature. The farm is noted for its tobacco and its good beach frontage. TREE POSITIONS “SET OFF” HOUSE Protection Urged by Expert for Those of Value to Property. An important factor in the outward appearance of a hpme is the proper arrangement of trees so as to “set off” the house, it is stated by Paul Davey, prominent tree expert. “A building site with trees is con- sidered more desirable than one with- out them and is usually priced high- er,” Davey states. “But you should be sure before you select a lot because of its trees that the trees will be really valuable. Are they where they can be preserved or are the best specimens where they will have to be removed to make room for the house? Are they healthy and well formed? Are they 80 located that the grade where they stand will not have to be changed? “There is no gain in selecting a lot with trees if you cannot keep the trees. You might better get other ad- vantages of location and set out new trees just where they will give the best effect. In these days of hard-surfaced roads and rubber-tired moving equip- ment surprisingly large trees can be safely moved. But if nature has pro- vided trees which can be preserved, then by all means protect them. Best Tree Value. “On a large lot you can vary the location of the house to get the best tree value. Remember that the roots of a tree extend underground fully as far as the branches spread overhead— often farther. Do not put the house so close to a tree that the excavation will cut roots. If you must get close to a tree plan that the part nearest the tree shall be a garage or porch with no excavation. If trees on the lot are too thick, make a careful selection for thinning, preserving the strongest and best-shaped trees and, as far as loca- tion will permit, a variety of species. Any landscape architect or tree expert as Preferred | A Value Seldom Offered in Cleveland Park—$11,950 Inspection by Appointment One-half a square west of the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Macomb Street A rare opportunity to purchase from an out-of-town owner one of those charming detached homes with that appeal unable to duplicate in new homes today. Spacious living and sleeping porches, a reception room with attractive open stairs, a living and dining room both having open fireplaces, a well- arranged butler’s pantry and spacious kitchen. The bed rooms, 5 in number and large. Ample attic storage space and full basement with stone walls. Hot-water heat. One-car garage. Construction is of the best and condition unusually good. A. E. LANDVOIGT Exclusive Agent Member of Washington Real Estate Board Edmonds Building District 7686 ||| designed for any sized family. Bed room or library and | $11 750 %/;E Children Can Romp l | ‘ With Safety—at— 7207 Bradley Boulevard | on their own, private, one-third acre estate. Why not give them all the advantages of suburban living—yet | only a few minutes from downtown; with 15-minute bus | service right to your door. New Four-Bed-Room Brick ; bath on the first floor; three bed rooms and bath on | | the second floor. all the latest and best features that are a part of modern | | construction. { Open Daily for Inspection Drive out Wisconsin Ave. to Bradley Boulevard ond turn left 1.8 miles. Just past Wilson Lone. | SHANNON & LUCHS Exclusive Agents. | 1505 H St., N.W. BranwiIITal—*k-Silver ) No. 305—on Pretty Ocala Street You can see from the picture what an attractive Home it is, but you can have no idea of how praetically it is designed inside, end how splendidly equipped, unless you make an-inspection of it and that is what WE WANT YOU TO DO. It is located on a prominent corner in this delightful Brenwill Park section of Silver Spring, Md. Has three splendid bedrooms; @ gem of bath, and equipped with the Carefree Comfort of Modern Gas Appliances. g Here’s a surprise—Only $8,250 And you will have another surprise when you see what eesy terms upon which it can be purchosed. _ Branwill Park is very convenient with all community facilities elose ot hand and a direct bus service downtown. MOSSES: Tower Bldg. MEt. 1776 Eveningt-and Sundays, SH: 3743 I Directions: Drive out Colesville Road, turning right on Frankitn Avenue to entrance to park. Open overy dt.y to 8 pm. Recreation room, built-in garage and [ C., SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1937. will be glad to advise you on this se- lection without charge. “Building workmen seldom realize how easily a tree can be injured. Have the trunks protected, or better yet, fence off enough space around each tree so that the root area will not be invaded. Roots are often so close to the surface that they may be injured if the wheel of a malerial truck cuts into soft ground. Do not permit material to be piled on the root area. The roots may be smoth- ered. Do not permit mortar or lime to be thrown on the ground near a tree or any other vegetation. It changes the chemical content of the sofl and that should pever be done except by an expert who understands what the change will do. Heat Protection. “Do not permit rubbish to be burned where the heat from embers may reach tree roots or the smoke or heat may touch tree branches. Above all, do not let pavers putting down a tarvia or asphalt drive place their equipment where the heat and gases will rise into tree branches or foliage, because it is deadly. If ditches for sewers or service pipes cross the root area of a tree have that part tun- neled. Five or six feet down will pass under main roots and saving the tree will be worth the small additional cost. Do not change the grade over any part of the root area of a tree. Lowering the grade brings roots too close to the surface and & £l will smother the roots and kill the tree. “Good trees will give you pleasure and enhance the value of your props erty, but théy are living things and can be easily injured or destroyed. If you remember that and insist on your contractor and his workmen remem- bering it, you will always be glad.” Visit 816 Concord Ave. New-home section, boule- vard location facing Govern- ment reservation. Modern 6 Rooms Tiled Bath, Porches Oil Heat 7,950 A Real Home Buy OPEN SUNDAY AFTERNOON A REAL ESTATE. Florida Dining Room. floor s covered in linoleur of & soft The dining room of & home in Miami | §Teen shade, with curtains in green Beach, Fla,, has a color scheme which |faced with raisin and trimmed with combines green and eggshell. ‘The ' crystal fringe. ACRE LOTS—HALF PRICE Out Chevy Chase Way To the First 10 Purchasers Sale Starts Noon Saturday Drive out Wis. Ave. to Bradley Lane; turn left into Bradley Boulevard and go 3V; miles until you see: OFFICE AND LARGE SIGNS - Mitchell Realty Co. A LOVELY HOME NEAR UPPER MASSACHUSETTS AVE. 3908 MACOMB ST. N.W. PRICE ONLY See these delightful homes! recreation room—Ilot 140 feet deep—gas heat— modern kitchen. Finely built, beautifully designed and decorated, intelligently planned home in high-class residential area. Nine rooms, including attractive recreation room, breakfast room and large third- floor room, 2 baths, automatic heat and refrigeration, 2-car brick garage, well-landscaped lot. Not just a usual house, but an unusuclly charming place to live. House about a year old. Price below the present market. BOSS & PHELPS REALTORS $16,750 OPEN TODAY 3 TO 6 SUNDAY 10 TO 6 Drive west on Macomb St. from Connecticut Ave. to 3900 dlock or from the Mass. Ave. side into Ma- comd’ St. NA. 9300 16 ROW HOUSES 7450 210-240 Gallatin St. Exhibit Home 1238 Gallatin St. 6 rooms—bath— Brown Bros. Product At This Remarkable Low Price. BROWN BROS. 7 Investigate—locality, construction, (attic over entire house). stained ceiling Directions—Take Colesville Pike week P. For Sal ing built into the masonry over every window and outside doors prevents seepage. tters and downspouts. Furred walls, weather stripping, caulking, etc. refres comfort with modern gas appliances. Bath room floors water proofed; prevests FIRST SHOWING 607 S. Noyes Drive Woedside Park, Silver Spring, Md. lowest cost financing. Ultra modern all brick and stone houses. Six spaciows rooms Three (twin-bed) bed rooms. Ample closet space. Two luxurious baths. L'::lo “sumshine” kitchen, breakfast nook. Steel windows and screens. Drain tile around entire foundation. Copper flash- Copper water piping, flashing, Fully air conditioned, 100% insulated. Felted outside walls under the furring d . the wall efficiency in retaining h d No. 1 heavy, unfading Vermont slate roof. out ants, vermin, etc. We vill finance first trust at 5% —$6.60 per thousand saltlc Hent o6 Siiver Spring aad tars left a¢ second corner. Open today and every 9 AM. to9 Pl Clifton White, Architect e.by S. J. Monk, Builder—G oo 0. 2433