It seems you don't understand how renting works in Germany. Tenants have rights very similar to what property owners have in the US, and have the equivalent of

It seems you don't understand how renting works in Germany. Tenants have rights very similar to what property owners have in the US, and have the equivalent of California's Proposition 13 to ratecap their rent (just like how property taxes get ratecapped in California). Its quite refreshing to see a different perspective on housing, as it isn't a fungible commodity like you suggest, where the dollar is the ultimate arbiter. People build their lives around where they live and make deep investments in their community. Some artificial "free" market that is terribly dysfunctional (and irrational) like we have here in the US is a poor choice when most of your society isn't landed gentry.