Posted on 02/07/2024 8:53:49 PM PST by NoLibZone
Trick, or ignorant question.
The left has destroyed the notion of ‘single-family homes’ as a result of their policies.
For many states, the only answer to the larger question of affordability under the current paradigm - speaking strictly of home ownership - is cohabitation & ‘multi-family dwelling’ (aside from the obvious “smaller dwelling”).
I grew up in America’s 4th largest city, it did not have zoning laws.
Easy. Deport all the illegals. This will create a housing surplus and drop cost.
How about stable marriages, where people share space and costs? That’s what was done in my father’s day, when 3 generations under a roof were common.
“Plywood sells for about $1/square foot. The supporting structural lumber might run $2/square foot. I haven’t checked the price of marble lately, but it might be $6/square foot.”
You are off on the structure estimate — add concrete, rebar, HVAC, carpet, roofing, plumbing, cabinets, electrical, insulation and labor: homes cost $300 per sq ft to build ($450 per sq ft where I live).
Marble starts at $90.00 sq ft here and goes up to $1,000.
“When I was going through a home search a couple of years ago I found that it was impossible to find a small detached home in my area that is less than 50+ years old. “
Mrs. BBB333 and I started with a 14 x 70 mobile home that we purchased, then we purchased a lot and eventually built a <1,100 sq. ft. home in ‘95. It’s perfect for us and relatively inexpensive to heat during the winter...
A person can live well in a smaller home if it is well designed.
That would free up a lot of housing.
“I grew up in America’s 4th largest city, it did not have zoning laws.”
Prior to zoning land was protected by residential covenants such as exist in River Oaks.
Zoning was an attempt to bring upper income property protections to the masses.
In the past builders with Texas sized land availability would have simply built outward, leave even unprotected areas pretty much intact.
I don’t think zoning came to my area of Florida until the late 1960s. The need for wells and septic tanks meant that the typical lot size was about half an acre. Dense development was confined to arterial road corridors with sewer lines. Physical factors pretty much negated the need for zoning.
In New York City blocks of brownstones were ‘shattered’. To prevent this NYC developed a system of air rights. A brownstone holder on a street could sell his air rights to a developer to build a tall building on an avenue.
eliminating depreciation on investment properties that owner occupied
River Oaks isn’t typical of the 640 square miles of Houston.
Houston doesn’t have zoning laws.
“In CA one of the problems for the young but benefit to those who have been settled a while is that property taxes are locked in at a low valuation and (if any) interest rates locked in at half or below the current borrowing costs. Thus, there in little desire for homeowners to sell They’d have to reset their rate and the property tax, and probably pay a lot in state and federal taxes on the gain. Lots of government interference in the housing market and it is exacerbated by taxes and interest rates at the moment.”
So to prevent government market interference you’d tax people out of their homes and social networks.
How about your employer and its employees setting up shop in another square mile of our multi-million square mile country and not trash my square mile?
“HVAC”
Three years ago I was told a 2.5 ton AC replacement would be $3800.
“plumbing”
My former neighbor Bob was a plumbing contractor. He left the business about 13 years ago because he said the $600 he got for plumbing a house wasn’t enough even when using Mexicans. I suspect that $600 didn’t include the materials.
He should have tried service work if he was capable of that field, repiping a house is good money while in construction it is a never-ending spiral into less and less profit for the contractor.
I looked at all the replies. Some good ones.
But one obvious solution was not mentioned.
Stop voting democratic/socialist.
An improved economy, lower tax structures, reduced unemployment and a stable social structure will improve our housing problems. In other words stop doing liberal crap that harms our housing issue and the country as a whole.
My neighbors replaced their boiler last summer (they live here two months of the year and Mrs. BBB333 property manages it for them 10 months — ie rents it out for them).
Keep in mind that all the plumbing, pumps and electrical were in place, the new boiler was $13,500. I got another bid for them at $15,500...
About five years ago their well went dry and the new well was $23,000.
Building is expensive.
“Marble starts at $90.00 sq ft here and goes up to $1,000.”
Black Ice 12 in. x 12 in. Polished Marble Floor and Wall Tile (5 sq. ft./Case)
$7.68/square foot for me (pros get discounts)
Now finished kitchen countertops would be far, far more.
I suspect marble would stain too easily for kitchen countertops.
“Houston doesn’t have zoning laws.”
Houston has massive suburban land availability and two ring roads: I-610 and 8. Routes 1960 & 6 serve the outer suburbs.
Tile, as you note is waaaaay different.
My market is different as there are lots of high end homes and, as such, high end services.
Custom formica is about $75.00 per sq ft here...
Houston is an old city and has done great without zoning laws.
You should get to know it some time, cruise the various neighborhoods, and see what is there.
“new well was $23,000”
About 13 months ago I hooked up to county water - $2900 capacity fee, $1000 line fee, $57 permit fee, $1200 for backflow installation and certification, $350 for 9 10-foot copper pipes, $60 for blowtorch and about $60 for other parts.
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