[khedoros1]

If you've got a way to save up some 10's of thousands of dollars for a down payment in a reasonable time, and be able to pay the mortgage for the loan, that doesn't sound like "tough times" to me.

I bought 7 years ago, when the market in my area was at its lowest. Saving for years, on an income significantly above median (for the area), I was just able to afford a down payment on a starter home.

Most people in my area make less than me, and the market has significantly picked up. My next door neighbor just sold their place, smaller and less upgraded than mine, for about 1.5x what I paid for mine. And the people that couldn't pay 2/3 that price 7 years ago should have just tried harder to save up to afford it now, right?