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"Build up lots of cash. Then buy up the McMansions at the foreclosure sales. :-)"

If I understand correctly the problem with McMansions is that of zoning laws that basically require them? 2 1/2 acre lots that are only allowed one single-family dwelling? It always had me scratching my head. I really can't think of many people who want to bother with so much lawn. Take a drive through such areas and for the most part all you see is souless cut grass. On endless front yards big enough for Uncle Mikey's Neverland Ranch or John Travolta's airplane collection. This, I gather is a consequence of "Smart Growth" or "Keep out, thy unwashed villeins!" policies?

mcmansions.."smart growth"

There are two different kinds of mcmansions.

In areas where land is very expensive they often build gigantic houses on quarter acre lots.

In other areas, usually exurban, the local zoning is the issue as the zoning board is trying to keep the riff-raff out by requiring large (and expensive) acreage.

I have a large property, including a large lawn, with a normal size house. That kind of setup is not for everyone. In my case I actually enjoy the outdoor activity and want the privacy.

When folks at work complain about their neighbors latest lack of consideration I just smile....neighbors....what are those? :-)

"This, I gather is a consequence of "Smart Growth" or "Keep out, thy unwashed villeins!" policies?"

In some parts of America, it's to keep all our farm land from being chopped up into subdivisions, which I appreciate to some extent, being land-locked as I am. The State of Wisconsin owns most of the land that surrounds me, to include a lake across the road (that no one can use!) A Gentleman Farmer from The Big City owns about 500 acres around us and rents it out for corn and soybean production to a local canning company. I've lived here for ten years and currently you need to purchase 40 ACRES to build a ONE family home! Yikes!

The reverse of this is that people that have 'huge tracts of land' such as my FIL, can never get Top Dollar for it because they have to sell it off in those 40 acre parcels. And really, who can afford 40 acres of land, just to build a house? (That's about $200K worth of land, 'round heah.) And who the heck can afford to buy up a few chunks that run together and start a new farm? Few, that's who! I'm FIL's Executor. I'm not looking forward to dealing with this hair-brained liquidation when the time comes. Grrrr!

It's a double-edged sword. I own a farm with two acres. Only a small amount is in "lawn" because the land is so fertile and valueable I'd be a fool to not have my 1/4 acre garden and berry bushes and fruit trees and Punkin' Patch and chickens, etc. to make a little extra cash off the land to pay the taxes. No WAY would I waste this little Gold Mine on a McMansion!

"This Old Dump" is alright with me. ;)