Fixer upper junk homes in Seattle now cost over $800,000 according to this article. https://archive.is/Vf9cJ
Why?
Government over-regulation drives up costs in every area:
-Approvals and permits required dozens of times, each requiring substantial time, effort, and money to obtain.
-Purchases of new houses have taxes used for racist policies discriminating against asians, whites, and others.
-NIMBYism makes the cost of new high density development very high or impossible. Seattle should be built up like Hong Kong, not suburban homes.
-State mandated “archaeological reviews” / bribes to special interest
-Crazy energy code requirements making new construction extremely expensive to do. I am developing a new house in the state and have to pay an extra $30,000-50,000 to comply with everything. A developer / builder will require a markup of $100,000 on this to cover risk and return.
Solution?
Instead of relying on regulations to cover every possible use case, allow the courts to do their job. Delete most of the rulebook, especially areas that are bribes or racist kickbacks.