Yep, house prices are higher. Gee, though, in 1953 my parents built the house we grew up in for a total of $10,000. My first house in 1988 cost me $42,500, and the loan was at 10% interest... and 20% down was required. We did it. How? We denied ourselves immediate pleasures, drove our cars until they were worn out, and saved. That is extremely unpopular behavior today, when the prevailing attitude among many of the young is to do it NOW, don't deny yourself. Saving and living below our means allowed us to pay off our mortgages ahead of time, though. Sorry, as much as business wants consumers to think they can have it all, most people can't. You get to choose. Mortgage your future now by spending and borrowing, or save so you can be better off later.