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Originally Posted by OUGrad05
Well I agree the prices are too high but people are paying them so that really means they aren't too high. That doesn't mean the people buying are being rational (I dont think they are) but if prices were too high the condo's/apartments would be sitting oon the market vacant.
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That's the argument -- unless developers intentionally build out slow and manipulate supply, they won't be able to get these sorts of prices, especially when a resale market emerges -- that's what you have in Kansas City. They've had urban living for a long, long time. Their prices, to live in better built locations with better views than anything you'll find in OKC are generally lower. It's a fairly comparable market. Their MSA population exceeds ours by about 500,000.
I agree that folks aren't being rational and that builders should be able to charge whatever they can get, but if they're getting that sort of money while making a better profit than they would in the 'burbs where they have to pay for infrastructure, why should they be getting TIF money at all -- especially when they're getting this land on the cheap from OCURA?
The city is footing a bill for a substantial part of these projects. If these were properties which would be generating sales tax, I *might* understand, but these are ordinary residences. Spending hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars for the benefit of a few of the wealthiest in the city in their private capacity where that investment is probably not necessary seems foolish to me.
I'm going to be wealthy enough (God willing) within the next 10 years or so to be able to afford these sorts of properties. I still won't buy unless I find that the rates are substantially reasonable. I think there's a limited market for the early adopter/emotional buyers out there. I think that'll dry up quick. Once developers have to start competing with resellers, we'll see a drop in price. The developers will continue to make a profit, but when some of these early buyers find out they have negative equity in their homes, they probably won't be too thrilled.