What makes Kits so desirable?

I’ve been apartment hunting recently and for the budget I’ve been looking within the units that are available are absolute trash, including moldy trim, worn / water damaged paint, outdated cabinets, broken floor boards, smoking allowed? and at this price none of have in suite laundry.

I’m assuming people living in kits specifically do so for location, but it blows my mind for the same price you can live in a brand new tower in burnaby and just hop on a sky train down to to the beach if you really wanted it.

Do people in Vancouver just love being ripped off for housing? I understand supply and demand play a large role but why aren’t their standards in pricing for this sort thing?

You would never pay new sticker window price for any other used item, why does housing get a pass? Shouldn’t there be a lobby to prevent this?