Exactly. In most HCOL states, the land under the house is anywhere from 50% to the majority of the cost. So if you somehow got the cost of build down say, 50% (

Exactly. In most HCOL states, the land under the house is anywhere from 50% to the majority of the cost. So if you somehow got the cost of build down say, 50% (unlikely given materials costs too), then your overall cost would still only go down 25% or less. In most localities, you can get an idea of how the government values your land vs your home from your property tax statement (improved vs unimproved).