The value of a particular house has to do with many different factors. The condition of the house, the location, the school district, supply, demand, and the surrounding neighborhood’s amenities are among some of the most well known. But a recent analysis has pinpointed another, less well known, factor that may help push prices upward. According to the study, areas that have stricter land-use regulations – such as density laws and permit review times – have seen much larger increases in home values compared to areas with less restrictive regulations. What does this mean? Well, it’s fairly simple. In areas where builders have a more difficult time building new homes because of local laws and procedures, fewer new homes get built. And, during times when there are a lower-than-normal number of existing homes available for sale, that can cause price increases to accelerate, as there will be more buyers than homes for sale. However, it’s important to note that the areas with the strictest land-use regulations also tend to be major coastal cities, where available lots are already hard to come by. In other words, there are a lot of factors that go into how a home is priced and the rate at which its value rises or falls. More here.
