....LOL

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2008767425_strategies22.html

These were the standards when I first bought a house in 1988.  They are much lower standards for home loan qualification than in for example Germany.  Aren't we a little spoiled.  1) It is not a catastrophe not to own a house, life goes on. 2) make choices to save until you can afford it.