> transfer taxes, plus inspection costs, appraisal costs, title insurance costs, and loan origination costs
Those other costs should be driven to a much lower floor as well. The majority could be automated, and likely are in the process of being (e.g. loan origination costs).
Essentially the only fundamental cost should be inspection: which is ultimately the buyer (and their lender) offloading systems assessment onto a third party. Who, if you read the fine print for inspectors and case law, is generally not legally liable if they miss something.
> some major issue
The solution to property maintenance seems surmountable. Require it for dense, neighbor-impacting scenarios (HOA, etc), and fund it via loans against the underlying asset (HELOC or home equity loans).
I'm sympathetic to your point, but I don't think it takes primacy over enabling individuals to own their own home.
Those other costs should be driven to a much lower floor as well. The majority could be automated, and likely are in the process of being (e.g. loan origination costs).
Essentially the only fundamental cost should be inspection: which is ultimately the buyer (and their lender) offloading systems assessment onto a third party. Who, if you read the fine print for inspectors and case law, is generally not legally liable if they miss something.
> some major issue
The solution to property maintenance seems surmountable. Require it for dense, neighbor-impacting scenarios (HOA, etc), and fund it via loans against the underlying asset (HELOC or home equity loans).
I'm sympathetic to your point, but I don't think it takes primacy over enabling individuals to own their own home.