>>Some cities, such as Houston, have managed to stay affordable despite tremendous growth precisely because local officials have decided not to micromanage what new housing will look like or where it can be built.
Houston doesn’t have zoning but it’s been run by real estate connected Democrats for over 30 years.
Mayor Lee P. Brown wanted houses that were valued under $200k to disappear. He felt that they cost the city more in services than they were worth to the tax rolls.
Given the shrinking US population, this is no surprise - and if they just traffick foreigners here to prevent ghost towns, who wants to live with/near an imported underclass?
btt
They can’t build houses fast enough in the donut counties around Indy.
10’s of thousands in the area I work occasionally.
Lowest price I’ve seen advertised in “Starting from the $230’s”.
One development near a job I’m on is supposed to have a minimum of 800 that start at $1M.
And all of the shopping, nature trails, sports complexes, parks, schools, arts, entertainment etc that goes with it.
Problem being though, they’re turning a very solid red county into a purple one.
Smaller is better and smarter. Unless you have a family, a large house is a waste of money.
My studio apartment has scrapped the kitchen and has only added a spacious private bathroom.
It feels comfortable without appearing claustrophobic because of the open
design.
You don’t need a large place to live well and be happy.
We contacted 6 builders just outside the Columbia, SC area last year via telephone AND their web contact page. Wanted to build on our waterfront lot. Three never called us back. One of the three we talked to didn’t build in our area, the other two acted like we had the plague. Haven’t built yet...not sure we will.
They forgot to mention the Obama depression. Locally a lot of new construction started soon after Trump’s election.
Millennials don’t see the need
of going into debt for 30 yesrs.
Much less maintaining a house
and property. Those that choose
to live in the basement know
that they’re probably going
to inherit mom and dads place,
who paid off the mortgage for
them. They would just as soon
sell to avoid upkeep and taxes,
move to a smaller rental space
and live off the proceeds of
the sale.
When I turned 18, I was chomping
at the bit to start my own life.
Got married, had kids, and a house
payment. Todays’ young adults are
not of the same mindset.
If you are a home owner with a home you’ve had since the prior decade or before, the shortages of new housing and the higher housing prices are fine. If you are a recent, working, high school or college graduate looking to move out of mom and dad’s house, the prices are unaffordable.
Our subdivision is booming with nice sized homes. Every where you look new businesses mostly fast food, or small shopping centers with nichee stores like nail salons, pizza shops, high end 20ish clothing.