Even luxury shouldn’t be allowed if it destroys the neighborhood. I don’t care if it’s a $1M condo building. I don’t want it next to my house.
Why can’t some areas just be SFH neighborhoods?
State of VT legislature, via veto override, just passed a new non-primary home transfer tax of 3.66% to go into effect 8/1. In addition, they passed a 14% increase in property taxes plus an increase of room tax from 9% to 12% impacting short term rentals. Aggressively trying to dissuade outside investment (aka flatlanders)… I’m looking at a min of $10K more in closing costs based on the transfer tax increase.
I can see absolutely no unintended consequences as a result of this. Nope, none whatsoever. LOL!
They never learn do they? British Columbia did something like this a few years ago. How’d that work out in terms of more “affordable” housing in the province?
I have been negotiating on property #5 for the past 10 days. My 10% off was countered with 1.4% - after which I let them sit on the market for another 2 weekends. I then countered at 7.2%, they countered at 4% (finally progress) and now trying meet at 5.4%. Seller has agreed to close prior to the 8/1 deadline for transfer tax increase, although I will get stuck with the 14% increase in property tax, starting 7/1.
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how much temptation to let them sit for another two weeks and go back to 7.2% or 10%.
I feel now somewhat compelled to complete a transaction prior to state transfer tax increase. I would have to get more then 8% off with the increased tax to equal the 5.4% offer I have now.
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Which state is increasing their transfer tax and by how much?
State of VT. See this prior post. For non-primary homes, its increasing over 2%.
After a little more than 5 months I am on my way to completing the sell and buy. Goodbye condo with difficult HOA in flood zone, hello single family home with big carrying costs. Offer was accepted at 5.4% off and I am now under contract.
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Its kinda like growing crops mono culture kills the land…No one building type really bolsters the community. The truth is you need a mix of SFH , MF, and Mixed use to make a community thrive. There has to be more than just Karen in the Cul de sac making all the rules.
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Nope, disagree 1000%. I’ve lived in apartments and do not want apartment people anywhere near me. It doesn’t enhance the area it brings nothing but problems. Crime, traffic, noise, etc.
Renters give no shits about their community since they have no vested interest in it. And I don’t want them anywhere near me.
As for mixed use, again no thanks. I can walk 15 minutes or a quick drive to commercial areas. I don’t need it next door.
Go to any city except maybe NYC, and the best and most desirable areas of town are SFH neighborhoods. That’s not a coincidence.
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Why doesn’t everyone simply buy single family homes? Are they stupid?
Mortgage expense?
This is definitely not the case in Boston, ever seen a SF in the South End or Back Bay? In fact, I think that most people desire to be close to stuff, it’s just that our cities have been so poorly designed from the get-go that not a lot of them nailed the mix.
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Because they can’t afford it.
Sure some people prefer the apartment lifestyle even if they could afford a home. But that’s a small minority of people.
My point is if people want to live in apartments, have at it. Just keep them away from everyone else.
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The ideal home for many people in america is a 4 bedroom 2 bath (2000sq feet) home on a 10k square feet lot in a good school district within 1 hour of a major city. Basically you get a enough bedrooms for a family of 4 plus a guest room. 10k lot means you have a decent yard that can be cut with a push lawnmower.
Now the problem is that ^ is very expensive especially in CA
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The average family can’t buy the average house in any metro area currently. The numbers just don’t work to get approved for a mortgage. Multigenerational housing is going to boom. If you have an in-law suite I’d imagine that would add a ton of value. For the next 20 years Americans will def be moving in their parents or moving back in with them to help afford housing. Honestly, that’s the way it should have always been, almost every other culture does it but us.
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Heh. That is basically my house. Also in a well established 'nabe. Houses are 100+ years old, nice big mature trees, beautiful yards with landscaping planted over the years. It’s why we fought like hell to prevent it from being destroyed with MFH. Developers would rip out and entire block and plop in a 30 unit condo if the city had its way.
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Close. I’m going for 4 bedrooms 2 bath 2 story with finished basement (unless more 
is considered), 4 stall heated garage, entirely brick, ~20x20 shed on about 10 acres. I’d add waterfront as well, but that is a BIG ask lol… plus we have the lake cabin anyway. No neighbors - private enough that I could wash vehicles in the nude if I wish 
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I love my in-laws. But the thought of living with them…yeah no! Our culture doesn’t do it because we’re rich and we don’t have to do it. You don’t see a lot of multi generational housing options in Luxembourg either. For the same reason. You see it generally in poor countries where people have no choice but to live together.
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