I'm truly amazed at housing prices - even rental - in the west side of LA - or any part of Southern California.  If you are a first-time home buyer, it's mind boggling.  What should you do if you are just starting out?

My suggestion - since the housing market has shown (for the past 65+ years) that it will continue to rise overall, buy something that you can afford, now!  If you bought a home in 1990, it has probably doubled or more, in value.  I bought a house in 1974 for $35,000, in Fountain...
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My daughter is thinking about her future.  She is looking at the difference between renting and buying a home - because in the near future, she is planning to get married.  She is amazed that home prices are SOOO HIGH. 

I told her that RENTS are high, too so she may as well BUY.

What about you?  You have to start, somewhere, if you are going to buy.  Why not squeeze the trigger and buy something small in a city or area that is not as desirable as where you want to end up?  As prices go up, your...
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Time to get on the bandwagon - time to buy.  Why?  well, if you keep your property for 5 years, it could appreciate by a lot of $$!!  Then you can use this money to put a small down on another house - move there, and rent out the first house.  Rents are going up, too!  You have a win-win situation, using leverage.  

I was watching Flip or Flop the other day - they buy for cash - NO leverage, because they are in, fix up, and sell.  No time for appreciation, except for what they build in to the ...
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