As housing prices increase on the post-recession wave, many experts are asking people to reconsider the dream of buying and owning a home, especially if that means sinking too deeply in debt or sacrificing mobility.
Alison Smith writes a cost-benefits analysis of home ownership in the current Canadian experience, where “[in] little more than a decade, the average house price in Canada has more than doubled, outpacing inflation and incomes.” The question is whether houses are still the dream investment they used to be, especially since so many people are so deeply invested in the idea: “Some Canadians are spending as much as 50 per cent of their income on mortgage payments.”
Smith cites David Chilton author of the Wealthy Barber, who asks consumers to think more modestly: “My argument has always been a more modest home is a better way to live…You're not stressed about your financial future. You have enough money flowing through to save."
FULL STORY: Rethinking the home ownership dream
'Seriously Delinquent' Mortgages Explode, But Don't Expect a Great Recession-Style Meltdown
More and more homeowners are falling behind on mortgage payments as the pandemic lingers, according to recent market data.
Foreclosures Near 20-Year Low
Some areas of the country are experiencing stress in the housing market, according to the new CoreLogic "Loan Performance Insights" report, but overall it's a long-time since homeowners have been so stable.
Where Millennials Are Entering the Homebuying Market
LendingTree ranks the most popular cities for Millennial homebuyers.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)