DEMAND FOR HOMES.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1920, Page 4

DEMAND FOR HOMES.

NEW RECORD IN BUILDINGS. FARM LANDS MARKET DULL. j 1 A lull in the properly market is hp- 1 parent in some parts of tlie Dominion J arising from various causes. A New Plymouth land agent told a J Daily News reporter yesterday that farm lands were* slack, but as far a3 1 house property was concerned ho was encountering a very fair demand, especially in the case of residences costing from £9OO to £I2OO. The number available, however, was limited, and prospective purchasers were generally slow to close unless they were sure of (retting possession, such as in a case where the vendor himself lived in the house under offer. Business property is not brisk, but town sections of J-acre are selling well, as are also houses in grounds of t>vo or three acres. "Land sales are dull," said a second agent. This, he said, was attributable to the faet that the present is generally looked upon as the off-season for farm Bales. House property was better, and there were a good number of bungalows for sale. In the recently built resi : deuces it was noticeable "that, a good class of house is being provided to-day. Generally, values for land and houses iv ere being soundly maintained. The difficulty which the prospective purchaser sees of gaining possession of a property has apparently determined many to have new residences erected, find considerable activity in'the building trade in New Plymouth is reported, especially housing. Commercial undertakings which are under way are making good progress, and it is certain other buildings of this class would be in coiirse of erection if there was any degree of certainty that material could be secured. The present month, particularly, has been a brisk one in building operations. According to information which a Daily News representative gleaned from Inspector Day, the value of buildings for which permits have been issued during September is £34.000, which is a record In this department. Discounting the inflation, which is caused by the higlior prices ruling, the totals for the aixmontlily period April-September (inclusive) show a very marked increase, being £105,875, against the 1919 period's total of £58,000.

Houses constituted the main items in September's total of £34,000, the individual price ' ranging from £BOO to £I2OO, and averaging ,in sizg .about six rooms. There were also some small erections of a permanent nature to be incorporated later in the main dwelling. The stage lias not yet been reached, however, when it can be said that the new buildings are having any appreciable effect in relieving the shortage of-accommodation. Inspector Day states that he finds this problem as acute a 9 ever.