Considering how crazy expensive accommodations have become the last couple of years, concentrated in the hands of greedy corporations, landlords and how little politicians seem to care about this problem, do you think we will ever experience a real estate market crash that would bring those exorbitant prices back to Earth?

  • Cheesus@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    No, unless we separate housing from investment, it will never be affordable. I don’t foresee the political will to make it happen.

    • ImplyingImplications@lemmy.ca
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      10 months ago

      This is the biggest issue right here. Houses weren’t always investments and making them investments was a terrible idea that’s now difficult to fix.

      Real estate has become a huge part of stock market and GDP figures. People’s retirement funds have become other people’s mortgage and rent payments. Affordable houses for some would mean economic decline for others, and no political party wants to create economic decline.

      • KevonLooney@lemm.ee
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        10 months ago

        Maybe, but really the issue is construction of new houses. Cities are much cleaner now so people want to live in them. They used to be filled with factory smoke and animal feces.

        Yes, more than now. No I don’t care that you saw some poop yesterday. The streets were literally caked with horse poop. You wouldn’t even notice dog poop.

        And most jobs used to be physical, so the average person would have some experience in carpentry. If houses were too expensive, you would find a friend or relative with some expertise and build something yourself. So houses outside the city were cheap because you could build new ones, and houses inside the city sucked (and were cheap).

        • mohammed_alibi@lemmy.world
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          10 months ago

          Part of high housing cost is due to the investment mindset and housing speculation. However, another part of high housing cost is that other people did put in the work to raise its value. Want to live in a clean, convenient neighborhood? Someone kept the place clean. Many businesses set up shop in the area to make it convenient to buy things and get things done. Certain passionate chef set up a wonderful restaurant so that you can just come by and enjoy good food. Some group of people, leader, or politician put in the political maneuverings that got certain ordinances passed or raised the bonds or taxes to build the public transportation. So over time as people continue to invest time, effort, labor to improve an area, it should be expected that the area becomes more expensive (and desirable).

      • JokeDeity@lemm.ee
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        10 months ago

        “no political party wants to create economic decline.”

        I’m afraid I have to disagree.

          • Bytemeister@lemmy.world
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            10 months ago

            Ah yes, because building renewable energy generation, electric vehicles, fortifying the electric grid, repurposing and developing land formerly used for mining and fracking… All things that happen for free.

            The solution for global warming has never been “use less than you need” it’s always been “use what you have better”.

      • Empricorn@feddit.nl
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        10 months ago

        You’re out of your mind. You’re saying no profit of any kind is possible unless we exploit people forced to rent?

        I know that’s not 100% what you’re saying, but that’s how it comes across…

    • meseek #2982@lemmy.ca
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      10 months ago

      Still trying to understand how everything has to be crushed under capitalism. Food. Health care. Housing. Travel. It all there to spin up cash.

      Can’t wait till they figure out how to monetize air 🫠

        • degrix@lemmy.hqueue.dev
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          10 months ago

          These are really popular with people traveling to Colorado ski resorts and getting altitude sickness. They’re useful to grab to avoid getting sick and combating the symptoms if you do.

        • bbmb@kbin.social
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          10 months ago

          There are actually medical edgecases for stuff like this where they can be quite useful. That being said, a lot of people definitely also seem to view it as merely monetary, as there are literal oxygen bars in Vegas.

          • CADmonkey@lemmy.world
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            10 months ago

            My first thought was “I wonder how sturdy these cans are, and what provisions they have against puncture”. Normally oxygen bottles are strong, and the oxygen is dissolved in a foam or something so it doesn’t leak out as fast from a puncture.

      • Maximilious@kbin.social
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        10 months ago

        In the healthcare space they already have. If the wild fires keep up, it won’t be long before we have a Spaceballs or Lorax mogul in our midst.

        • bbmb@kbin.social
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          10 months ago

          Certain states such as Oregon (where I live) have acts in place regarding forests in general such as the FPA that should prevent the worst, or at least the destruction of forests whether imperatively or by wildfire, from happening.

          However, when it comes to other places, I wouldn’t even be surprised unfortunately. On the California state border on Highway 199 crossing from Oregon where it’s mostly green, you see nothing but Redwoods burned and left in shambles for a few miles, it’s gives off goosebumps seeing a natural sight in this awful condition, let alone a supposedly protected state park.

      • Bytemeister@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that it isn’t capitalisim that is doing this. Blaming capitalism for fucking the 99% is like blaming science for inventing nuclear weapons. Capitalism is just the process. The focus is determined by key players. Frankly, I’d blame the availability of just about every industry in the stock market for what we are seeing. Companies used to be run by industry experts, who had a vested interest in their business being a sustainable long term asset that would provide wealth to their family for generations. Now, companies are run by “Line Go Up” CEOs appointed by a board of stock holders (mostly financial bros) who just want the stock to look real good before they sell it. There is no concern for the customer, workers, or the general populace beyond government mandated standards. All that matters is making money for people who couldn’t care less or know less about the industry.

        Capitalism didn’t ruin food or housing. Capitalists did.

      • hglman@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        But keeping supply low is more profitable. There isnt going to be an expansion of housing without a change in the rules of the game.

      • MossBear@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        Either you’re being a parody or you fit the stereotype. If the latter, what went so wrong in your life to make you care that much about money?

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            10 months ago

            Ah yes, shall I remind you that not everyone is as fortunate as you are. And your arrogant and self entitled attitude doesn’t help the picture. I pity individuals like you, who think so highly of themselves.

            Maybe we, the apes who work from 9 to 5 should simply die so that there is no one to pay the rent for your shitty apartments or service them.

            Do you think you will be at the same place if you were born in a ghetto or to parents who would not be able to provide you with education. There are plenty of smarter kids out there who are way more capable than you will ever be but they would never achieve their true potential because of lack of education, opportunities, parental support, social circle, place, country, etc.

            But I guess self awareness is not your forte.

            And if you really wanted to make a positive impact you would make your housing affordable but we all know that would never happen.

          • MossBear@lemmy.world
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            10 months ago

            I have a chronic illness. I’ve spent vast amounts of time, energy and money managing that. But go on and look down on others. All the great philosophies in the world and you choose this. Your family has failed you horribly.

  • MossBear@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    I honestly think were heading for a total societal collapse. If the people with power and resources were the sort that were inclined to use it for good, they would have done it already. Given that we haven’t seen this, it’s reasonable that this accumulation at the top will continue unabated and that more and more people will fall into poverty and despair.

    This is a recipe for revolution, and revolution is largely incompatible with stability, especially in the near term.

    I wish this wasn’t the case. I suspect this century’'s deaths will dwarf last century’s.

    • Bye@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      No way, I think we are going to find out that circus is more important than bread, very soon. When people start needing to eat expired food and bugs, they won’t revolt as long as they have TikTok etc.

  • who8mydamnoreos@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    Not without some real force or change, middle class has invested to much of their retirement into the housing market to allow the prices to tank. Those who have are not going to risk it for the have nots.

    • ashok36@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      Imagine storing all of your nation’s wealth in real estate that is actively decaying by the minute instead of into companies that make products and provide jobs. What a stupid fucking idea.

      • redballooon@lemm.ee
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        10 months ago

        Doesn’t matter. Houses are sold for prices as if they’re still mostly new. If you are good you can beat down the price by a cost of a new roof or a new heating system. Never both. No seller will ever acknowledge that renovation doesn’t make sense and the house should be teared down, actively lowering the land value. And they don’t have to. Someone else is around the corner to buy at any price, turning it into an overpriced rental unit.

        • Bye@lemmy.world
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          10 months ago

          That’s because in most cases, you’re paying for the cost of the land, not the house itself. Just look at how much unimproved land costs. The house itself is a depreciating asset, the land appreciates so much that it overwhelms the cost of the house. Even condos are subject to this, simply because they take up space (which is worth money) and their price is tied to traditional houses because they are (imperfect) substitutes.

          • Radio_717@lemmy.world
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            10 months ago

            No. Appraisals and tax assessments have a land value and a “structural improvement” values. Both of these are added together for the purchase price.

            If there’s a building on the land that’s not derelict and has utilities- it’s almost always going to be worth more than the land value by itself.

            There are def certain zip codes and/or a very large plot of land with a single house on it where the inverse is the case (land being worth more than improvement) but that is not the norm.

            • Bye@lemmy.world
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              10 months ago

              My entire city burned down a year and a half ago. The burned lots were selling for over half the price as surviving houses, right after the fire. Like they were only 20-30% off. Most of the value is in the land.

  • ThisIsMyLemmyLogin@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    No. As the effects of climate change become worse, people will migrate to cooler places, which will only push up prices in those places. Poor people will be left to live in uninhabitable and uninsurable areas, while the rich will get to live in comfort.

    Climate change is essentially a class struggle, like everything else in life. As long as the 1% don’t have to suffer, nothing will be done. To get the rich to do something about climate change, it will have to affect them directly.

    • Kyrgizion@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      limate change is essentially a class struggle, like everything else in life. As long as the 1% don’t have to suffer, nothing will be done. To get the rich to do something about climate change, it will have to affect them directly.

      Exactly this. Elysium comes to mind, altough it won’t be a space station in orbit but probably a densely populated blue zone in Western Antarctica defended by turret boats or some shit.

  • agitatedpotato@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    10 months ago

    I think were closer to seeing people be forced to rent every comoddity they need to live than we are to seeing full home ownership.

  • eyy@lemm.ee
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    10 months ago

    No. Expensive housing is a genie in a bottle.

    Once sufficient people have purchased a house at the high price, it would be in their interest for prices to remain high. Corporate entities that buy up houses will actively lobby to make sure housing prices stay high, and the average Joe who paid that much for a house will be happy it stays that way.

    • ZodiacSF1969@sh.itjust.works
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      10 months ago

      I’m not so sure. Large lobbies have greater economic power than us average people, but they aren’t strong enough to defy macroeconomic trends. There are many factors that could turn and cause prices to collapse, we just don’t know when or if they will occur.

  • Ultraviolet@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    The solution is simple, but will never happen. Make it illegal to own a home you don’t live in.

    • randon31415@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      What about apartments? Dorms? Would that make being homeless illegal?

      Canada banned foreign ownership, and a bunch of local shell companies popped up. So it is not as simple as it sounds.

      • cheesepotatoes@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        Canada didn’t ban shit. The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act is just a token gesture so that politicians can say they did something.

        Since permanent residents and private corporations can still buy real-estate property, in practical terms literally nothing has changed.

      • schroedingershat@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        If you don’t live in the building and it’s for permanent accomodation, you don’t own any part of it. Very simple. Feel free to rent out part of the building though if you do.

        Whatever mental gymnastics you did to get from there to homelessness being illegal don’t apply.

        • randon31415@lemmy.world
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          10 months ago

          |Make it illegal to own a home you don’t live in -> Feel free to rent out part of the building though if you do.

          Wouldn’t renting out a building you don’t live in be illegal? Or is AirBnB a loophole?

          • schroedingershat@lemmy.world
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            10 months ago

            Wouldn’t renting out a building you don’t live in be illegal

            Yes. That’s the point. You can own it if it’s your residence even if someone else lives there too.

            Also you don’t seem to comprehend the concept of bed and breakfast

            • randon31415@lemmy.world
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              10 months ago

              So the only apartments in this brave new world would have the landlords literally living in them with you. That doesn’t sound like an upgrade to me.

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                10 months ago

                Your grasp of the distinction between apartment and building is as abysmal as every other concept you mention.

                Also you seem to be equally ignorant of the idea of owning an apartment and of social housing.

                • randon31415@lemmy.world
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                  10 months ago

                  Ah, you are just a common troll. Got it. I was a bit tired, so I fed you after midnight. Won’t make that mistake again. Good night.

    • Hikermick@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      This is so stupid. The fact that people upvote this makes me want to go back to reddit

      • Hikermick@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        I think the people here are young and well meaning but don’t have much real world experience yet.

      • reason@lemm.ee
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        10 months ago

        People here are extreme i went to reddit but quality of conversation is shit. I enjoy tildes a lot i have invite if you want quality of conversation there is amazing.

  • fabio1@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    I bought an apartment about 15 years ago. I finally finished paying it about 3 years ago, and recently got an offer to move to Ontario. With the current house prices and what I was offered there (about 80k), I could barely make rent for my family. I really wanted to move but had to say no because of stupid absurd rent prices. What’s weird is that if I wanted to rent the place I bought I would not be able to afford it either. This is bullshit.

  • BossPaint@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    This is kind of just something that krept into my mind but I think with a slowing birthrate that we may just end up with too many homes at some point in the next 25 years.

    • scarabic@lemmy.world
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      If you’re talking about the US, the slowing birthrate is compensated for by immigration. This is what drives immigration policy and why the US hasn’t fallen into the same demographic slump as Japan has, and China soon will.

      Add to this that much of the tight housing market is driven by people around the world investing in US real estate. Some estimates are as high as 30% of homes sitting empty, held by foreign investors, just appreciating.

      Between these two things, we are extremely far from being able to visualize too much housing. I hope we get there, though. Because it would fix the high pricing and allow us to demolish some of the oldest, shittiest housing which is only still around because the market is so nuts.

    • u_tamtam@programming.dev
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      10 months ago

      Perhaps, but in an energy-scarce world, who would be able to afford living in an old, inefficient house? I obviously hope to be wrong but increasing material price and labour might alone offset whatever price decrease the extra inventory of a decreasing population might bring. I hope to be wrong, ofc.

      • Urbanfox@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        My old place was a cold, stone cottage and was a nightmare to keep heated.

        The kitchen at one point was measuring 6°C and that was with the heating on in the winter.

        We got out of there in December 2019 and I’m so glad we did, because with COVID, Brexit and the war, house prices went bananas, energy bills went through the roof and interest rates have increased massively.

        We could never have afforded this place today. I really feel for young folks today, we bought our first home at 33 years old after years of saving and that was in the time of almost no interest - it would be impossible now.

  • space@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    10 months ago

    There are 2 big obstacles we need to overcome. The first is corporate ownership of residential property. This needs to go away.

    The second big issue, we need to build higher density housing, and get rid of the enormous parking spaces that take up our downtowns. Not everyone needs a house. And you can absolutely build medium density housing that doesn’t feel cramped. Sure, living in an apartment is not perfect, but you are closer to the places you want to go, and public transportation is more feasible. It’s a win-win for everyone.

  • Vaggumon@lemm.ee
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    10 months ago

    Not until people get off their asses and show the 1% they have no real power. In order to make an omelet, you need to break some eggs. It is long past time to crack some shells.

    • Sabre363@sh.itjust.works
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      10 months ago

      The only way that the 1% lose their power is if the rest of us unanimously decide they no longer have power. Which is why there is so much effort put into preventing any kind of agreement.

    • redballooon@lemm.ee
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      10 months ago

      they have no real power.

      Wuahaha. They’ll crush that tiny rebellion of yours with hired forces aka police, who’s prime purpose is to protect property, not people.

  • MolochAlter@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    The problem is not affordable housing, there’s plenty of that in the US, the problem is getting people to states where housing is affordable without significant drops in quality of life due to lack of access to services and such.

    Like, you could buy land in Detroit for the price of a decent car, put a trailer on it and you’re already on the property ladder, but you’re in Detroit.

  • Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    10 months ago

    I suspect that a strong push for fully remote work would help the US with housing costs due to a chunk of the workforce moving out of the cities and into the boonies.

    • Asafum@feddit.nl
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      10 months ago

      That already fucked long island. “Everyone” moved out of NYC and bought all the housing on l.i when COVID hit and WFH started, now it’s completely unaffordable for anyone under the age of 40 and/or unmarried.

      The listings have just become a joke. 300k+ for a twice burned down shed posing as a house in a flood zone and in the worst towns. It’s absolutely asinine…