How about developer trying to pool two high incomes together to make mortgage every month after obliterating years of savings on a down payment, versus one that can easily afford to buy a house with whatever amenities one wants including an easy commute putting 20% down (less than a year's savings) and paying less than 40% of the take home pay per month?

The second option is a true story of me here in Chicago.

Most of the houses that sell for 'free'/'cheap' have been scavenged over by neighbors and similar. Things like dry wall being ripped out to get copper wiring to sell isn't unusual.

Obviously it depends how much you make in each place.

The argument most miss is that if you buy a place in SFO, that rent isn't throwaway, it's equity.

Though I live in the Midwest. Was lucky to find a big salary here.