當「家」變成投資
House prices are going up in many countries.
全世界許多國家的房價都在上漲。
go up上漲、上升
One main reason is supply and demand.
主要原因之一是「供需原理」。
main(adj.)主要的supply and demand供需(原理)
There are more people who want to buy homes than houses available.
想買房子的人比市場上的房子還多。
available(adj.)可用的、可得到的、有空的
When many people want something but there is not enough, the price usually goes up.
當很多人想要某樣東西，但供應不足時，價格自然會上升。
Cities grow bigger, but building new homes takes time and money. This makes houses more expensive.
城市不斷擴張，但蓋新房子需要時間和資金，這也推高了房價。
expand(v.)擴大rapidly(adv.)快速地
Another reason is government policies about land and construction.
另一個原因是各地政府在土地與建設上的政策。
policy(n.)政策、方針Honesty is the best policy.誠實為上策construction(n.)建造、建設construct(v.)建造、構成
Some places have rules that make it hard to build new homes quickly.
有些地區的法規會讓房屋無法快速興建。
rule(n.)規則、法規follow／obey the rules遵守規定break the rules違反規定make it a rule／habit to do sth.養成做某事的習慣
For example, there might be limits on how tall buildings can be or where new homes can be built.
例如，可能限制建築的高度或新開發區的位置。
a limit on sth.對…的限制
These rules can reduce the number of homes and raise prices.
這些規定會讓市場上的房子變少，房價也就被抬高。
reduce(v.)減少、降低raise(v.)增加、提高、養育
Also, land is limited, especially in big cities, so this pushes prices higher.
而且土地是有限的，尤其是在大城市，房價就更容易上升。
limited(adj.)有限的limit(n.)(v.)限制、限定
Investment also plays a key role.
投資也在房價上漲中扮演關鍵角色。
key(adj.)重要的、關鍵的role(n.)角色
Some people buy homes not to live in, but to sell later for a profit.
有些人買房子不是為了自住，而是為了以後轉手賺錢。
for a profit為了獲利
This can increase demand and make prices rise faster.
這會讓需求更多，價格上升也更快。
increase(v.)(n.)增大、增加
When many investors buy properties, it becomes harder for regular buyers to afford homes.
當很多投資者搶房，真正需要住的人反而買不起。
property(n.)房地產regular(adj.)普通的、一般的、頻繁的regular customer老顧客afford(v.)買得起be able to afford to do sth.有錢做某事
This creates challenges for people who want to live in the city, and governments are trying to find ways to make housing more affordable.
這對想住在城市的人造成挑戰，而政府正努力尋求辦法，讓住房變得更平易近人。
challenge(n.)挑戰affordable(adj.)可負擔的、買得起的