Its people like you that come here and pay outlandish prices for houses that would sell for half as much to a local who knew what was normal.
You think that any price that is less than California is a bargain.
When people pay outlandish prices, everyones taxes go up, then the locals can't afford to keep their place and have to sell.
Do you really believe that? It sounds like one of those barber shop myths that small-town people tell. "Yep Floyd, some fool from Calliforny done paid a million dollars for 2 acres of swampland with a burned down barn on it."
I'm calling you out on that one. If you have an example of a wealthy Californian paying double for a piece of real estate compared to what it's worth I'd sure like to hear about it.
Do you really believe that someone from another state would buy a home not knowing what it's real value is? . What do you think the appraisers and real estate agents are for? Do you think I wouldn't check comparable sales? If prices are going up it's because demand is going up. Period. Over the past few years real estate values have climbed everywhere.
If I had to guess, I bet I'd get property cheaper than the locals are getting it, because I would be able to pay cash, buy it immediately, and have no contingency sale to hold things up. I'd come in and low-ball their offer substantially.
By the way, who says just because I'm living in California I haven't lived up that way before and might have a good idea on things like the relative price of real estate.