[apocalyptic0n3]

Wood is incredibly cheap here in the United States. Estimates I have seen in the past is a stone home will cost 15-25% more per square foot than a wood-framed home in the same location. Making it more resistant to earthquakes (a requirement in California) raises the price even further. At the end of the day, cost will almost always win.

[rich_sasha]

In Europe, usually the cost of land is considerably higher than the construction. Must be true in rich parts of LA too.