LogFAQs > #972527850

KingButz posted...

Single family homes require publicly subsidized infrastructure that condos generally do not (or do to a much lesser extent). Owners pay property taxes at the same % rate as condo owners do even though they own substantially more land. The value of single family homes is generally higher which makes it easier for owners to use the mortgage interest tax deduction.

These factors all contribute to why single family homes appreciate at a much higher rate than condominiums do.

None of this has anything do to with US subsidies, except for the infrastructure thing to a small extent. It's just accounting tricks to make single family homes seem more valuable than they actually are, in order to sell mortgages (see: 2008). I've never heard this stuff myself but it's kinda funny imagining others falling for it.

KingButz posted...

For single family homes, the expense is less because a larger part of the value of your property is land which doesn't require much upkeep. For a condo, it's 70-95% building, which does require upkeep.

Like this doesn't make any sense at all. The fact that you're surrounded by grass makes your $5k plumbing job cheaper than the condo's $5k plumbing job? Who falls for that?