THE HOUSING QUESTION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 550, 20 July 1920, Page 1

THE HOUSING QUESTION.

A WELLINGTON AGENTS VIEW. A -house and land agent of twenty years' standing in Wellington was re centlv asked whether there was any sensible diminution in the demand for houses in the metropolitan area. If anything, he replied, the demand was a little keener than it had been a vear ago. 4, 1n previous booms, and T have been through two or three, lie said, "the amount paid on deposit was as a rule small, but at the present time the small deposit is almost unknown: in most eases it is cash over mortgage, That means much to a city. Tn other booms a man could afford to pav down £SO by way of deposit, pay the interest on the rest for a year or two, and then, when the slump came, allow the niortgagee lo foreclose. Put now people are buying for keeps—they are paying big deposits which they cannot' afford to throw away; aiv 1 eArnalimCC mrmnO*P f O V)ftV 1H C

inOy soinrunir> full price in cash. This is a very good thing for everyone, as it will to a very great extent prevent slumps in property. It shows, too, that people are going in for permanent homes, which means a better city: for the man who owns the property he lives in will look after it, while the casual tenant l as not tho incentive to look after the place. There has been no cessation or falling off in business during the winter, ;l ,id 1 would not be at all surprised if the market is keener than ever in the coming spring.''