Do property owners inherently receive returns? Isn't the profitability of real estate more a product of policy than natural supply?

Summary: Real estate prices are inflated by government interventions, such as zoning laws and subsidy programs. Thus, landowners’ gains depend more on policy effects than on natural land scarcity.

Real estate profitability encompasses both intrinsic value and external influences determining market conditions. Although policies such as zoning limits and subsidies can amplify returns, they are not the sole drivers of profitability. In practical experience, property values are also tied to characteristics like location, demand, and broader economic trends. These policy instruments often provide a framework within which real estate can prosper, but inherent quality and market dynamics remain crucial factors. It is the interplay between natural attributes and regulatory effects that ultimately shapes the returns on property investments.

This interplay is really interesting. I wonder how much local community factors untangle the effects of policy versus inherent location qualities. What do others think about this balance in different environments?

i think its a mix. your local condition and undelying demand drive returns alot, while policies act more like a booster rather than the root of property profitability. its more cofounder idea than straight up natural supply gain.