Austin Studio & Garden, 1209 E. Sixth St.
Not a Pretty Perspective
RECEIVED Sat., July 10, 2021
Dear Editor,
As a homeowner, social worker, and hoarding specialist, my view on the housing crisis requires challenging our culture (Texan) and looking at how other locales address housing markets and costs. This is not a popular view at all, but controlled rent in cities like New York and Los Angeles have kept some housing sustainable. What if Austin/Travis County Appraisal District were to devise a cap for some properties, those owned by out of state investors? When those properties go to market, they cannot exceed 75% of the appraised value? Since we are a non-disclosure state, only Title companies and realty firms have privy to ACTUAL sales prices. Austin homeowners who have seen their property value increase for the past 15 years, surely deserve to realize their gains. But is it possible that Austin homeowner/sellers are a big part of the problem with market artificial values ... not the buyers? Again, not a pretty perspective to accept if you are an Austinite who has lived here for more than 20 years and you want to Keep Austin Weird, right?
As a homeowner, social worker, and hoarding specialist, my view on the housing crisis requires challenging our culture (Texan) and looking at how other locales address housing markets and costs. This is not a popular view at all, but controlled rent in cities like New York and Los Angeles have kept some housing sustainable. What if Austin/Travis County Appraisal District were to devise a cap for some properties, those owned by out of state investors? When those properties go to market, they cannot exceed 75% of the appraised value? Since we are a non-disclosure state, only Title companies and realty firms have privy to ACTUAL sales prices. Austin homeowners who have seen their property value increase for the past 15 years, surely deserve to realize their gains. But is it possible that Austin homeowner/sellers are a big part of the problem with market artificial values ... not the buyers? Again, not a pretty perspective to accept if you are an Austinite who has lived here for more than 20 years and you want to Keep Austin Weird, right?
Laura Acuna Zavalney
