Why land/homes in the Western US are so expensive?

[Usrname]

Originally Posted by lvmensch

Pahrump is a lot more civilized. Still live and let live but little friction. Most agree doing what you choose is OK.

Only real problem in Pahrump is there are more water permits then there is water. And that always leads to trouble. But water is available for most lots.

Another real "problem" is the wast barren desert....that makes one wonder about slow death without water if they got stuck somewhere...and brutal heat!
San Luis Valley ain't no rose garden either....but it got cooler summers.
Average summer hottest month high in Parhump: 101F
In Alamosa: only 83F

[Usrname]

Originally Posted by SunGrins

We had a home building boom that went bust during the Great Recession and developers walked away - some left town but most shut down to almost nothing. Now the only homes being built in any numbers are by custom builders building under contract or super expensive spec homes waiting for cash rich west coasters to move in. Those folks don’t know that you can buy a great house for 25% of what they are used to paying in California. That drives prices up. There is a shortage of affordable homes for families but it looks like there is (or was?) a slight increase in housing starts for a while.

Yep, exactly... And tightened building regulations favor those, overall. Minimum square footage requirements, endless "codes" (in CA, now even need a sprinkler system), licensed-only labor requirements (like plumbers, electricians, well drillers, septic)....and builders aren't interested on taking small projects/small square footage and non-fancy, at all. I think NM still got no-codes area up in NW part....but good luck with water there (and increased property crime! I really wonder if some of these vacation homes will need fence & guards situation, eventually, not to be taken apart)

[lvmensch]

Originally Posted by Usrname

Another real "problem" is the wast barren desert....that makes one wonder about slow death without water if they got stuck somewhere...and brutal heat!
San Luis Valley ain't no rose garden either....but it got cooler summers.
Average summer hottest month high in Parhump: 101F
In Alamosa: only 83F

It is dry. The heat is not a problem. More pleasant than say Dallas or Houston. And resolvable winters. Also a lot bigger than San Luis Valley. So reasonable services. Over subscribed on water because it was a major cotton growing area earlier.