Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 94, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 April 1916 — HOME TOWN HELPS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOME TOWN HELPS

LOOK TO THE VACANT LOT A Little Cleaning Up of the Bpace Now Will Result in Profit in the Future. Owners of unimproved property in this city who wish to sell it should take heed of a suggestion that comes from Minneapolis, where the matter has been under practical consideration. This is that any lot of ground offered for sale has a better chance of finding a market if it is kept in attractive order than if neglected and allowed to present an unkempt, unattractive appearance. Of course, as a mere building Bite, it makes no difference to a prospective purchaser whether a lot is neatly tufted or is a veritable dump laden with trash. Building operations are not deterred by refuse. But there is something psychological in -the appeal of a wellkept vacant lot that gives it a “pulling power" over a trash-covered, weedgrown, unsightly place. The cumulative effect of well-tended vacant properties reaching to a standard of orderliness throughout the city is unmistakable. Every real estate owner with property of this character to sell is interested in attracting the attention of buyers from outside. Such buyers are more surely drawn to a city that presents no unlovely aspects than to one that is peppered with eyesores. The cost of keeping a vacant lot in order is slight and it should be reckoned by the owner as part of the overhead charge, along with the Interest. It has been suggested that this cost may be added to the price of the property when it is sold. However it is borne, whether by the owner or the ultimate purchaser, it is a good investment. It makes for quicker sales and meanwhile for a more attractive oity, which in itßelf is an asset shared by every owner of property. This is the season to consider this question. Already the preparations Tor park work are under way. The ground in the public reservations is being raked, trash is being hauled away, and in a few weeks the city will be blossoming. Every owner of a vacant lot should consider his bit of ground as part of the city’s park system and put it in order Just as carefully aB the tree-grown spaces under the care of the government are groomed for the season. The householders are expected to keep their front parkings and lawns up to a certain standard of neatness, and surely those who own land on which there are no improvements should be under the same obligation. Washington Star.