Fight Housing Prices

[freemkt]

Originally Posted by MotleyCrew

You don't build enough housing to keep the costs in line. Subdivide some land and build small homes on small lots instead of 3 story McMansions with outrageous HOA fees.

Well just DUH. The housing and land use rules are written by INCUMBENT residents, who have a vested interest in increasing the value of their homes. Which means they're not going to have any incentive to build enough to keep costs in line.

[thedownlow]

Originally Posted by SWCM7950

Riverside county is a third world dump! No comparison between the two.

Have you seen the Portland suburbs lately?

[ringwise]

Originally Posted by freemkt

Well just DUH. The housing and land use rules are written by INCUMBENT residents, who have a vested interest in increasing the value of their homes. Which means they're not going to have any incentive to build enough to keep costs in line.

Actually, it's a case of them having a vested interest in maintaining the value of their neighborhood(s).

You also might want to brush up on your government knowledge. Residents don't write housing rules. Elected officials write those laws.

[bler144]

Originally Posted by ringwise

Elected officials write those laws.

True, though even if elected officials are (at least theoretically) impartial managers of the greater good, they almost always are residents themselves, whose support, both monetarily and in terms of votes, comes from other residents.

Heck, look at Hales' backing of REDUCED density in his own damn neighborhood:
Charlie Hales advocates for less density in Eastmoreland | OregonLive.com

Maybe there was a sound public policy rationale for that, IDK, I haven't heard one, but it sure looks a lot like he's serving just the limited needs of himself and his immediate fellow property owners.

[BlueMare1967]

Do you mind if I ask your price range and how close in you need to be? Been on that hunt myself for eight months.

I can tell you that if you are willing to take a chance on an outer SE area, like Mill Park, you can get a lot of lovely house for a lot less than close in. I saw some amazing 1950s ranch houses on large lots. I chose against it because I have kids who are old enough to walk to parks, etc alone and the crime around those areas were a little concerning, plus schools are weak.

But the streets where these houses were located seemed very safe. If I had kids who were older or no kids, I would have seriously considered settling there. But I'm moving out of the area a bit for better schools and lower prices.

Good luck!