Comments on: Rethinking U.S. Housing Policy http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/2009/05/05/rethinking-us-housing-policy/ The source on how we live, work and play Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:10:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Lynn Stevens http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/2009/05/05/rethinking-us-housing-policy/comment-page-1/#comment-12356 Lynn Stevens Mon, 11 May 2009 04:58:14 +0000 http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/?p=10404#comment-12356 (Link to pdf above does not work. http://www.aei.org/book/971 will take you to link.) Having only read the synopsis, I'm not really following some of the logic. E.g., that mortgage interest deduction inflates prices: I don't think most (at least) first-time home buyers really carry the calculation out that far and (until the recent past) the amount you could afford was based on your income and down payment. I also wonder if this study is applicable to current conditions. Re: rent deduction, do you also give owners any kind of deduction? And there was a time when renting was the norm, and renters took care of and actually invested in their properties (i.e., painting and such) and communities. Seems there are many more societal factors here. Tho maybe started by housing policies, it will take a long time to change back. (Link to pdf above does not work. http://www.aei.org/book/971 will take you to link.)

Having only read the synopsis, I’m not really following some of the logic. E.g., that mortgage interest deduction inflates prices: I don’t think most (at least) first-time home buyers really carry the calculation out that far and (until the recent past) the amount you could afford was based on your income and down payment. I also wonder if this study is applicable to current conditions.

Re: rent deduction, do you also give owners any kind of deduction?

And there was a time when renting was the norm, and renters took care of and actually invested in their properties (i.e., painting and such) and communities. Seems there are many more societal factors here. Tho maybe started by housing policies, it will take a long time to change back.

]]> By: Wendy Waters http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/2009/05/05/rethinking-us-housing-policy/comment-page-1/#comment-12293 Wendy Waters Fri, 08 May 2009 04:04:51 +0000 http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/?p=10404#comment-12293 I agree with the tendency of renters not to contribute to community. But maybe there is another solution; some renters do contribute to community and look after properties. Maybe there is a non tax solution. I agree with the tendency of renters not to contribute to community. But maybe there is another solution; some renters do contribute to community and look after properties. Maybe there is a non tax solution.

]]> By: Jim H http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/2009/05/05/rethinking-us-housing-policy/comment-page-1/#comment-12243 Jim H Wed, 06 May 2009 12:50:53 +0000 http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/?p=10404#comment-12243 Wendy, as someone who used to rent to people, I can tell you what would happen: neighborhoods would go downhill. Renters do not take care of the places they rent, trashing them pretty thoroughly as they have no vested stake. I am in favor of eliminating the mortgage deduction, as I believe it would go a long way in keeping people from buying homes they can't really afford. But then again, I'm against all deductions and taxing of incomes; we should move to a simpler sales tax (like the FairTax) and be done with it. Wendy,
as someone who used to rent to people, I can tell you what would happen: neighborhoods would go downhill. Renters do not take care of the places they rent, trashing them pretty thoroughly as they have no vested stake.

I am in favor of eliminating the mortgage deduction, as I believe it would go a long way in keeping people from buying homes they can’t really afford. But then again, I’m against all deductions and taxing of incomes; we should move to a simpler sales tax (like the FairTax) and be done with it.

]]> By: Wendy http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/2009/05/05/rethinking-us-housing-policy/comment-page-1/#comment-12213 Wendy Tue, 05 May 2009 15:49:56 +0000 http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/?p=10404#comment-12213 What would happen if you made rent (partially) tax deductible and took away the mortgage tax deduction? What would happen if you made rent (partially) tax deductible and took away the mortgage tax deduction?

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