At least in Germany, there are strict rules about where you can build and how. You cannot just buy any farmland and start building. As a consequence, ground pri

At least in Germany, there are strict rules about where you can build and how. You cannot just buy any farmland and start building. As a consequence, ground prices skyrocket in regions of demand and there isn't enough new construction to put the forces of a free market into effect. Even appartments in multi-storey buidings are usually far to expensive.