Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 December 1881 — House-Hunting in New York. [ARTICLE]

House-Hunting in New York.

Boston Advertiser. I have never seen anything like the present demand for houses in desirable situations. I met a gentleman yeserday, who, after using every effort to get one furnished for the winter, was on his way to Washington to take one there instead. He had offered $3,500 for the Winter for a house on Lexington avenue near Grammerey Park—a pleasant and comfortable neighborhood but not “the t est.” While he was negotiating, another person secured it for $4,000, which gives some idea of prices. House-hunting is a dreadful occupation iu New York, but it has its amusing side. An aequaintance of my own nearly exhausted, and at his wit’s end, entered, not long ago. the office of a worthy and most affable Hibernian broker. To Jiis surprise he was promptly told of a house in an excellent, situation, exactly meeting his requirements, and at a moderate rental. He at once asked for a permit, and while the broker was preparing it, the latter quietly remarked: “Perhaps, sorr, I ought to tell ye that there’s a slight drawback. The old lady that owns the house aud her grown up daughter, they want to remain and board with ye.” The applicant,struck speechless, prepared to withdraw. “What,” said the agent,-looking up in innocent surprise, “ye wouldn’t loike that? Bhure an’ I’ll tell ye what ye’ll do. The same case entoirely happened a short time ago. and the tenant said it was all roight, signed the lease and took the old lady in. And, sorr, he just stharved her out in two made her ate with the servants, sorr! Ye moight do that.”