How do we solve the housing crisis in America???
Most Popular Reply
Henry ClarkPro Member
Developer · Member since 2020 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votesAlways start with the numbers. What market? How many? What is rental cost? What is ownership cost? What group of people?
By renting trailers you may be causing the problem. By selling houses to them you may be causing the problem. What are your numbers?
Approach the question backwards. How would I increase the number of people who can’t afford housing? Dissect the issue.
360,000,000 people.
How many can’t afford housing. What do you mean by can’t afford housing? Can’t buy? Can’t rent?
Why is it bad that x% can’t afford housing? Unless you’re homeless you have housing. Are you talking about homeless? Define the who.
160 Replies
- 2yDan DiFilippoBusiness MemberReal Estate Broker · Fayetteville, NC · Member since 2020 · 251 posts · 244 votes
@Ralph Nagle
You seem like a real tragedy of an existence.
If anything, agents help keep prices stable and incentivize longer-term ownership in homes instead of speculative transaction.
- Member since 2023 · 52 posts · 43 votes2y
Quote from @Dan DiFilippo:
@Ralph Nagle
You seem like a real tragedy of an existence.
If anything, agents help keep prices stable and incentivize longer-term ownership in homes instead of speculative transaction.
Which is why Realtors call me asking if I'm ready to move, including the agent who I worked with when I bought my last home in 2019. You're full of ****.
Also were probably in middle school during the mid 2000's when they were sooo not encouraging speculative transaction then either.
- 2yHenry ClarkPro MemberDeveloper · Member since 2020 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
Quote from @Logan M.:
I don't have my app notifications but just jumped back to see the replied hahaha
Wow, did I open a can of worms?!
I thought I would see ideas about affordable housing but it looks more like a political debate.It’s your post. Plenty of thoughts and suggestions on the topic.
Renting trailers is not the answer. Recommend you evaluate your desire, conviction and approach.
Quote from @Logan M.:
I have felt drawn to investing in Mobile Home Parks partially because I feel like it allows me to have an impact by providing affordable housing.
What I want to know is if there is a real solution to the unaffordability of housing in America.
I see grant programs and government assistance but it seems like it just inflates to problem.
Is the answer that we just need more housing units? What am I missing?
I'm not sure how "we" solve it, I know I'm gonna keep plodding forward like Boxer the horse ;) (reference to your other post) You might break the forum with these two threads lol.
- Member since 2019 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes2y
100.
Stop the building code drama... building home is actually cheap, until ............... - Member since 2019 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes2y
from pic above, there's no affordability problem if you live in Minneapolis or Ohio.
There could be affordability issue if you live in most CA/NY/FL/WA city only BUT
even from the vicinity of bay area, one could still purchase condo for 300k only, MH for 200k only, condo in San Francisco for 350k only and house for 400k.
You just need to lower your standard to be able to affordable a house LOL
So the issue with affordability is only in the most expensive 10 cities only. - 2yColleen F.Pro MemberInvestor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
@Logan M. you did open a debate. It is a multi-faceted issue but some of the current solutions are not really solutions.
Homeless: They cleared an area of central phoenix recently putting the homeless up in motels etc. I have even seen articles on the homeless being housed by social service organizations in units that would not be acceptable if you were a builder or a landlord (shipping containers and such). Its affordable because they pay nothing, you pay, is that a solution? There are very few people who cannot contribute in some way to society. Some choose not to, is a free 1 bedroom apartment the reward?
Working poor: They get wages that don't cover basic living. Did they have kids young? do they have no skills? do they not speak english? are they illegal immigrants? That is a different affordability problem than homelessness and you need to work at the root cause that made them working poor. Just increasing wages isn't it because you just fuel inflation.
The I can't buy a house crowd: These are the people who are well enough off to have a good middle class living and buy some extras but say I can't buy a house its not affordable. Now this is the easiest. Build more starter homes and sell the idea of a starter home to these people like the "tiny House" movement. Also get them some financial education so they understand you have to shift disposable income to your housing fund. There are tons of first time buyer programs for these people already.
- Member since 2019 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes2y
I want to say something, for "working poor" there are two classifications I guess, the actual poor and the so-called illegal immigrant (that become one of the hot topic here). Most of them are actually NOT POOR and they are not hunting for house to buy, they only want to rent cheaper place which is abundant in the market. They cant qualify for renting because of some rental restriction HOWEVER income is not their problem, because they can always find underground job that's plenty as well. Actually most of them I would say "middle class" than "poor". Just dog sitting in this country could pay you 40 bucks an hour LOL. Job in hospitality and construction and security business are plenty full of them. Most of immigrant doesn't really have housing issue because they always stay in one whole group at a time and again there's always place to rent for them.
Now the actual poor are those Section 8 tenants.
For "The I can't buy a house crowd", their problem are very typical, they want to buy good 4/2 in A neighborhood, good school district, where everyone rich in the neighborhood. But if they want to lower their standard, they can always purchase starter home which is still plenty even in California.
Most "I can't afford" groups are those that have high standard. There're still plenty house selling for 500-700k for previously elibile 1mil group of folks. The problem is becoz they are renting in luxury class A apartment now, and if they move, they have to move Class C very "diversified" neighborhood. So there's that. - Member since 2019 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes2y
Quote from @Palmer Thomas:
Sure, it's a boogeyman.........or it's basic supply and demand that anyone with even the most basic understanding of economics could grasp.Quote from @Ned J.:
@Palmer Thomas...wow...just wow......
Blame everything on the big bad boogeyman of immigrants..... wow....
Got nothing to do with the rampant capitalists squeezing out every penny of the market....corporate greed not increasing wages......its the immigrants....got it.
We have 10+ million people living here illegally. The people need housing. This demand for housing drives up the price.
This has been my curiosity as well, but I am raising the question
"why in the world this administration is cutting the wire to allow people come to this country by any means ?? "
My theory is that , it's the way gov trying to reduce inflation by increasing labour supply for the "blue collar" jobs, in essence those new immigrant would replace the job of the previous guy that's doing the job.
Second theory is just it's the way they want to piss off the other "more nationalistic" party and increase their party dominance LOL
In other country, it's common practice to allow more immigrant so the political party that's doing this, is increasing their voters.
In short the immigrant creates more supply of cheap labour and create dis-inflation and also adding voters.(Current) Gov doesn't care maybe because illegal immigrant is good for the riches and elite (like it or not). Think about it. And America still has more land.
Quote from @James Hamling:
Quote from @Account Closed:
Quote from @James Hamling:
Quote from @Account Closed:
Quote from @James Hamling:
....Brewing up bidding wars, highest and best, ect.
....inspection came back looking like ****
....Realtors are motivated by commissions.... ....government and central bank facilitating the whole thing....
...I finally pulled my money out of escrow... ....told the agent I'm no longer interested in working with her....
....you made the cheap McCarthist "communist" comment.
....agents like her, and seemly you, are all factors in the equation of the housing crisis....************************************
@Account Closed Please explain and help us understand what your objective reasoning is for blaming "realtors, lenders, and investors" for being significant part of the affordability problem?
So far, all I can gather from your posts is your bitterness toward ONE Agent who, based on your interpretation, tried to persuade you to complete a deal you ultimately decided did not suit your best interests. But, I don't see a reasonable argument to support any of your assertions.
- Investor · Naples, FL · Member since 2016 · 256 posts · 75 votes2y
@Ralph Nagle......maybe it is misguided government policy that creates more problems when they make laws that don't make sense?
- 2yColleen F.Pro MemberInvestor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
@Carlos Ptriawan I don't mean to imply all illegal immigrants are working poor, some probably actual do quite well in the underground economy. For some though it is an affordable housing issue because they are stuck in the underground economy trying to support a family, sometimes with poor language skills. I have seen this in some communities I worked in. As for Section 8 being the actual poor not sure I agree many aren't working much if at all. Working without government programs supporting you those people are the actual working poor. They scrap by and are one paycheck from not making rent.
Yep, the can't buy a house crowd does need to lower the standard and be willing to go smaller or fixer upper but more "needs work homes" go to flippers because there are more flippers. Starter homes aren't what builders are building. The median home size was 1050 in 1960, now it is about 2300. You would be hard pressed to find a smaller home but of course you can change neighborhood but my guess is they prefer to rent over changing neighborhood.
- Member since 2019 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes2y
Quote from @Colleen F.:
@Carlos Ptriawan I don't mean to imply all illegal immigrants are working poor, some probably actual do quite well in the underground economy. For some though it is an affordable housing issue because they are stuck in the underground economy trying to support a family, sometimes with poor language skills. I have seen this in some communities I worked in. As for Section 8 being the actual poor not sure I agree many aren't working much if at all. Working without government programs supporting you those people are the actual working poor. They scrap by and are one paycheck from not making rent.
Yep, the can't buy a house crowd does need to lower the standard and be willing to go smaller or fixer upper but more "needs work homes" go to flippers because there are more flippers. Starter homes aren't what builders are building. The median home size was 1050 in 1960, now it is about 2300. You would be hard pressed to find a smaller home but of course you can change neighborhood but my guess is they prefer to rent over changing neighborhood.
I have some few comments.
- in our area there're few local gov. initiatives that the home must be sold to owner occupant rather than flipper/investor.
For example in east palo alto there're : https://www.cityofepa.org/housing/page/east-palo-alto-opport...
Although I dont think it's that effective, but literally I checked Zillow everyday, the starter houses are there, waiting to get bid.
Thing is again, for renter, they have to downgrade their standard when they purchase home. It happened to everyone. They have to stop dreaming there would be market crash for 3/1 BR to be under 800K in San Mateo LOL.
- for "illegal" immigrant, i dont think they should receive special treatment. Not hotel not housing.
Everyone does support a family, paying tax, and they may stuck to be in underground economy but it's the life that they choose anyway. Everyone can "dance" with the system. On other hand they can always reduce their cost of living by living together in multigenerational family. Also most of them as far as i know, received lot of helps from their own community and other organization as well in great number.
The way I see these housing affordability issue is like people that complaining college is expensive. What expensive ? It's expensive if one go to Stanford or private university, but if they go to State university, the cost is only $4K per semester still, it is soo cheap in any standard.
I am about to say, people that came from third world country, is irritating when see American complaining for nothing.
THe affordable house is still there, They can make good living if they live in Ohio, go to state university, elementary schol is still free. Compared to third world country where there's not much "socialism" like in the old US of A...America is still so cheappppppppppp.
Even house is here is cheap. Last time I checked Milwaukee house is still 150k. One can do dog sitting whole day and they can purchase starter home. - 2yColleen F.Pro MemberInvestor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
@Carlos Ptriawan in your area . California of course there are always special programs. I don't argue houses shouldn't be sold to investors but rather just saying that is what is happening. Some is what people desire like you said. They don't want a smaller house. They can't do DIY so they don't want a fixer upper. They want the current neighborhood.
Illegal immigrants in underground economy don't pay taxes. I agree I don't think they should receive special treatment. They do qualify for lots of US services as well as getting support from their own community but normally not housing although I don't know in some states they may. This is irritating, because it is ignoring laws and people who secure legal entry well they just have to wait. The other issue with illegal immigrants unlike many countries we have birthright citizenship, not sure how that will play out in housing. Illegal immigration I think is an issue we must address that impacts housing.
Yes, americans in general have it pretty good in relation to third world countries and I am with you on state universities and education. That said it isn't a third world country so yes whining should stop but some of these issues will sink us as a country if we don't address them. National debt is outrageous.
As for the dog sitting example, I get your point but you would have to dog sit in California to buy that Milwaukee house because I know they aren't paying as well as California in many other places.
That said I bought my first house when I was making a pittance, it was the cheapest and smallest house for miles, I was in school, and working. You have to want it but you also can't just plan to tread water on income.
- Member since 2019 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes2y
Quote from @Colleen F.:
@Carlos Ptriawan in your area . California of course there are always special programs. I don't argue houses shouldn't be sold to investors but rather just saying that is what is happening. Some is what people desire like you said. They don't want a smaller house. They can't do DIY so they don't want a fixer upper. They want the current neighborhood.
Illegal immigrants in underground economy don't pay taxes. I agree I don't think they should receive special treatment. They do qualify for lots of US services as well as getting support from their own community but normally not housing although I don't know in some states they may. This is irritating, because it is ignoring laws and people who secure legal entry well they just have to wait. The other issue with illegal immigrants unlike many countries we have birthright citizenship, not sure how that will play out in housing. Illegal immigration I think is an issue we must address that impacts housing.
Yes, americans in general have it pretty good in relation to third world countries and I am with you on state universities and education. That said it isn't a third world country so yes whining should stop but some of these issues will sink us as a country if we don't address them. National debt is outrageous.
As for the dog sitting example, I get your point but you would have to dog sit in California to buy that Milwaukee house because I know they aren't paying as well as California in many other places.
All the issues that you mentioned above comes from one root cause:
USA has too much socialism. They want to subsidize everyone. As results everyone is spoiled and feels entitled. Yet the party has to be stopped or reduced somehow.
The socialism is coming from the dollar that they can print without doing anything.
The gov has reckless deficit yet they increase interest rate, it would not work like that in the real world.
Look at recnt Treasury 30 year auction, almost nobody in the world is buying. It's time for change in US.
What's interesting seems like the gov. in future is controlled more by the left , while nobody in the world would subsidize USA again.
Not even China or Japan. So next decade would be interesting as "financially" and "politically" this country is going to opposite direction. - Member since 2021 · 109 posts · 130 votes2y
Simple...
1. Close the border and deport illegal immigrants
2. Stop allowing citizenship for every family member of people legally granted citizenship
3. Do not allow foreign citizens to purchase or own land
4. Limit the number of SFH a corporation owns to maybe like 1% of the number of their employees
5. Limit the number of homes an individual can own to like 3 total (including any fractional ownership)
6. Balance the percentage of building permits issued between apartments vs SFH/townhouses to a reasonable percentage - otherwise 4 & 5 might cause all the investors to buy up all the land for apartments
7. Require Innovation Homes, Arrived, REIs, etc to reduce the number of SFH they own by atleast 5%, and no more than 10%, each year until they comply with 4
- Real Estate Broker · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 6k+ votes2y
Quote from @Jason Smith:
Simple...
1. Close the border and deport illegal immigrants
2. Stop allowing citizenship for every family member of people legally granted citizenship
3. Do not allow foreign citizens to purchase or own land
4. Limit the number of SFH a corporation owns to maybe like 1% of the number of their employees
5. Limit the number of homes an individual can own to like 3 total (including any fractional ownership)
6. Balance the percentage of building permits issued between apartments vs SFH/townhouses to a reasonable percentage - otherwise 4 & 5 might cause all the investors to buy up all the land for apartments
7. Require Innovation Homes, Arrived, REIs, etc to reduce the number of SFH they own by atleast 5%, and no more than 10%, each year until they comply with 4
This above is a clear COMMUNIST detailing. It's not "almost" communist, "sort-of" communist, "vailed" communist, it's OUT-RIGHT Communist Socialism.
It violates the U.S. Constitution, every state Constitution, thousands of law's not to mention the very foundation of the U.S.A. and the declaration of independence itself.
It requires a power given unto government to dictate what one's life can or can-not look like, simply out of a governmental dictation of the limit one can have on achievement in there own life.
What in all that is holy are you doing on here Jason? There is 0% chance a person who could lay out in such depth of detail a communist-squared action plan, is here on BP for ANY of the thing's BP stand's for, not a 1. This read's more like a pamphlet inviting one to a sickle & hammer meeting at some university.
To ban any/all foreign ownership in U.S. is to end foreign investment. Toyota shut's plant's and lay's off people in mass. Kia, Honda the list goes on and on with the list of total devastation and that's JUST the automotive industry alone, and 100k+ unemployed in direct and ancillary impact.
More than 70% of single family residential rentals are owned and held in the U.S. by SMALL business, who you'd demand the forced sale to come into compliance, flooding the market with forced sales, thus devastating the entirety of the real estate market for ALL, not just those landlords in forced sale. Tenant's displaced in-mass. Denial of permit's creating mass issues of dilapidated properties and sub-standard living conditions due to denial of allowing repair works to be done.
Once upon a time it was said persons of such childish, lunatic, IDIOTIC ideals as communism should get sent to an island. Fun fact, that island exit's, it's called Cuba. GO! Go enjoy the "wonders" that communism hold's.
Reality is communism has FAILED in every iteration it has EVER been deployed, on every continent, in every nation. A perfect 100% failure rate. Communism has never elevated a populace not 1 time ever in history. It has degraded, destroyed and KILLED in mass. Because Communism is a lie, it is the propaganda program used to sell "the people" on the good of a political cast system, a neo-monarchy, a political monarchy. The people are surf's and suffer a surf's existence.
Republic is the only system that has given elevation to "the people".
The poorest in the U.S.A. today live BETTER than the Nobel's and Monarch's of Europe lived 300yrs ago. YES, that's the truth and fact, a "poor" person in the U.S. lives BETTER than a "King" lived 300yrs ago. Better access to food, water, health care, education, comfort, leisure, recreation, opportunity. And communism did NONE of that. CAPITALISM did it ALL.
- 2yRick BassettBusiness MemberProperty Manager · Greater New Haven, CT · Member since 2010 · 377 posts · 434 votes
One way to alleviate the problem would be for the Gov (Fed & State) to eliminate (or drastically reduce) the capital gains and depreciation recapture taxes on investment properties. It would create the incentive for many REI's to divest their rental properties and would probably drive prices down in the short-term.
Bassett Property Management5107 Reviews - 2yKonstantin GinzburgPro MemberMember since 2021 · 376 posts · 242 votes
Finding a real solution is going to be very difficult since it involves so many different variables and any possible solution is likely to have addition effects that come along with it that are detrimental. At its core, there is a supply problem. The amount of homes currently on the market right now is simply far less than the amount of people actively seeking a new house. Addressing the supply side is difficult. On one hand, you can incentivize builders with additional grant programs to encourage more units being built or you can encourage them with lowering interest rates to make their borrowing costs more manageable. But lowering interest rates can trigger increased demand as more people will be able to afford to enter the market; hence triggering house prices to resume going up. There is also pressure put on the supply side from investors, foreign buyers, and short term rental owners; among other additional sources. It is not likely for a solution to be found to address this supply pressure without causing justifiable controversy with free market interference. It is also important to remember that corporate investing may be placing supply pressure on housing but they are also helping fund the creation of housing that is required for renters. Policies that are meant to force down home prices would also have a negative effect on home owners so are not ideal.
The real solution will likely require a combination of increasing affordability through targeted interest rate decreases and insurance costs (especially in states such as Florida, California, and Louisiana where insurance is having a drastic affect on the ability to purchase a home), increased education for buyers to provide financial literacy and skills that they would need to be able to enter and gauge the home market, and a prolonged period of time where labor shortages force median pay to increase and allow more people to enter the market. As I said though, this is a very complicated problem, so will require a very complicated solution.
- Investor · Milwaukee - Mequon, WI · Member since 2010 · 5k+ posts · 7k+ votes2y
Quote from @Carlos Ptriawan:
Quote from @Colleen F.:
@Carlos Ptriawan I don't mean to imply all illegal immigrants are working poor, some probably actual do quite well in the underground economy. For some though it is an affordable housing issue because they are stuck in the underground economy trying to support a family, sometimes with poor language skills. I have seen this in some communities I worked in. As for Section 8 being the actual poor not sure I agree many aren't working much if at all. Working without government programs supporting you those people are the actual working poor. They scrap by and are one paycheck from not making rent.
Yep, the can't buy a house crowd does need to lower the standard and be willing to go smaller or fixer upper but more "needs work homes" go to flippers because there are more flippers. Starter homes aren't what builders are building. The median home size was 1050 in 1960, now it is about 2300. You would be hard pressed to find a smaller home but of course you can change neighborhood but my guess is they prefer to rent over changing neighborhood.
I have some few comments.
- in our area there're few local gov. initiatives that the home must be sold to owner occupant rather than flipper/investor.
For example in east palo alto there're : https://www.cityofepa.org/housing/page/east-palo-alto-opport...
Although I dont think it's that effective, but literally I checked Zillow everyday, the starter houses are there, waiting to get bid.
Thing is again, for renter, they have to downgrade their standard when they purchase home. It happened to everyone. They have to stop dreaming there would be market crash for 3/1 BR to be under 800K in San Mateo LOL.
- for "illegal" immigrant, i dont think they should receive special treatment. Not hotel not housing.
Everyone does support a family, paying tax, and they may stuck to be in underground economy but it's the life that they choose anyway. Everyone can "dance" with the system. On other hand they can always reduce their cost of living by living together in multigenerational family. Also most of them as far as i know, received lot of helps from their own community and other organization as well in great number.
The way I see these housing affordability issue is like people that complaining college is expensive. What expensive ? It's expensive if one go to Stanford or private university, but if they go to State university, the cost is only $4K per semester still, it is soo cheap in any standard.
I am about to say, people that came from third world country, is irritating when see American complaining for nothing.
THe affordable house is still there, They can make good living if they live in Ohio, go to state university, elementary schol is still free. Compared to third world country where there's not much "socialism" like in the old US of A...America is still so cheappppppppppp.
Even house is here is cheap. Last time I checked Milwaukee house is still 150k. One can do dog sitting whole day and they can purchase starter home.Actually, the median home price in Milwaukee County in October was 248,600 and up 7% per MLS. The segment between 250k and 450k is the most competitive.
- Investor · Milwaukee - Mequon, WI · Member since 2010 · 5k+ posts · 7k+ votes2y
Quote from @Logan M.:
I have felt drawn to investing in Mobile Home Parks partially because I feel like it allows me to have an impact by providing affordable housing.
What I want to know is if there is a real solution to the unaffordability of housing in America.
I see grant programs and government assistance but it seems like it just inflates to problem.
Is the answer that we just need more housing units? What am I missing?
Kind of. The housing shortage in the US was driven by a demographic change. Millennials fooled everyone by saying they will never buy, but as they gor older (many approaching 40 now) and had kids, they collectivley chnaged their mind within a relatively short 5 years. We also have underbuilt for a baout 15 years following 2008. The combination of both created the supply/demand we see today.
Zoning is a key issue. Low density single family homes consume huge amounts of land and are vastly more expensive to build and maintain (miles of road and utilities needed per household) compared to urban areas with midrise buildings.
Milwaukee is working on this - they talk about the "missing middle" between a sea of SF and the downtown highrises. We need midrise condo buildings with coffee shops, restaurants and entertainment on the main floor, condos and offcies upstairs to create walkable neighborhoods.
You can't expect to live in a walkable neighbrohood, but have all single family homes with large yards. That is per definition mutially exclusive. You don't have enough houidng density for the coffee shop to survive. Midrise condo buildings provide an answer and can be built at a cost affordable to first time home buyers.
Quote from @Jason Smith:
Simple...
1. Close the border and deport illegal immigrants
2. Stop allowing citizenship for every family member of people legally granted citizenship
3. Do not allow foreign citizens to purchase or own land
4. Limit the number of SFH a corporation owns to maybe like 1% of the number of their employees
5. Limit the number of homes an individual can own to like 3 total (including any fractional ownership)
6. Balance the percentage of building permits issued between apartments vs SFH/townhouses to a reasonable percentage - otherwise 4 & 5 might cause all the investors to buy up all the land for apartments
7. Require Innovation Homes, Arrived, REIs, etc to reduce the number of SFH they own by atleast 5%, and no more than 10%, each year until they comply with 4
If you're against "capitalism", I get it. But this is a 180. IF you limited investments in real estates, you'll create an even larger drop in home building. You'll also destroy the rental market, which in turn anyone who is NEEDING to buy/move and is CAPABLE. Will always rent versus sell. You'll create a huge hole. There's different ways to limit investor activity to create a proper two way in housing that will let SFs/young couples move in. These are not it. We also require foreign investment, this is critical.
What caused this problem in the first part was a hyper reaction to 2008 housing crisis. Basically, less houses being built due to the greatest home collapse ever. The second problem was excess money printing/low rates. The third, was remote working and where people want to live.
The truth is the average family can buy, just not necessarily in the area they want. You want to live in the primo area of Nashville? Okay, so do a ton of folks. Where do you sit income wise versus them? Try that versus most cities in the Midwest.
Go to any major metro area, and go to any of the truly desirable 5 neighborhoods. Look who owns those houses. It's the top 15-20% of the country(income wise, likely top 10% of that specific city). How's that unfair?
- Member since 2019 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes2y
Quote from @Marcus Auerbach:
Quote from @Carlos Ptriawan:
Quote from @Colleen F.:
@Carlos Ptriawan I don't mean to imply all illegal immigrants are working poor, some probably actual do quite well in the underground economy. For some though it is an affordable housing issue because they are stuck in the underground economy trying to support a family, sometimes with poor language skills. I have seen this in some communities I worked in. As for Section 8 being the actual poor not sure I agree many aren't working much if at all. Working without government programs supporting you those people are the actual working poor. They scrap by and are one paycheck from not making rent.
Yep, the can't buy a house crowd does need to lower the standard and be willing to go smaller or fixer upper but more "needs work homes" go to flippers because there are more flippers. Starter homes aren't what builders are building. The median home size was 1050 in 1960, now it is about 2300. You would be hard pressed to find a smaller home but of course you can change neighborhood but my guess is they prefer to rent over changing neighborhood.
I have some few comments.
- in our area there're few local gov. initiatives that the home must be sold to owner occupant rather than flipper/investor.
For example in east palo alto there're : https://www.cityofepa.org/housing/page/east-palo-alto-opport...
Although I dont think it's that effective, but literally I checked Zillow everyday, the starter houses are there, waiting to get bid.
Thing is again, for renter, they have to downgrade their standard when they purchase home. It happened to everyone. They have to stop dreaming there would be market crash for 3/1 BR to be under 800K in San Mateo LOL.
- for "illegal" immigrant, i dont think they should receive special treatment. Not hotel not housing.
Everyone does support a family, paying tax, and they may stuck to be in underground economy but it's the life that they choose anyway. Everyone can "dance" with the system. On other hand they can always reduce their cost of living by living together in multigenerational family. Also most of them as far as i know, received lot of helps from their own community and other organization as well in great number.
The way I see these housing affordability issue is like people that complaining college is expensive. What expensive ? It's expensive if one go to Stanford or private university, but if they go to State university, the cost is only $4K per semester still, it is soo cheap in any standard.
I am about to say, people that came from third world country, is irritating when see American complaining for nothing.
THe affordable house is still there, They can make good living if they live in Ohio, go to state university, elementary schol is still free. Compared to third world country where there's not much "socialism" like in the old US of A...America is still so cheappppppppppp.
Even house is here is cheap. Last time I checked Milwaukee house is still 150k. One can do dog sitting whole day and they can purchase starter home.Actually, the median home price in Milwaukee County in October was 248,600 and up 7% per MLS. The segment between 250k and 450k is the most competitive.
Right, so with loan of 200k they have to pay $1400/mo. With median income of $75k they can still easily afford the house.
House in Milwaukee ranges from $75k to $600k, it's still doable to live in this county, there's almost no affordability issue in Milwaukee.If potential buyer purchase at one grade level of their buying power, for example buying from C class to live in D class, this would trigger very quick gentrification as well.
I've seen how San Jose area progressed from 200k house to one mil in no time, it happened when people started moving to lower class neighborhood by the economic force and at no time, there's acceleration process of gentrification. - 2yBruce WoodruffPro MemberContractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
To reiterate and follow up on what @Carlos Ptriawan and @Colleen F. said, there is no lack of affordable housing. There is a lack of houses that people can afford exactly where and what they want. And there always has been....not everyone can live within 30 miles of the coast.
People need to stop whining and move where they can afford a house...or get another job. Or get 2 jobs. I don't care, I'm just tired of all the whining....
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