You are right abut the starter homes.My Mom sold real estate for over 30 years.Starting in about the mid 90’s the young couples started to want the home they grew up in and not starter homes anymore.It seems the younger generation has never been taught about waiting for things and earning them?
Yep. We grew up in a Chicago bungalow, Mom, Dad and two kids in 1100 square feet with one bathroom. Never felt poor, either.
The house my father built, and I grew up in, is illegal now. Too low ceilings, too small a lot, septic system instead of a Title 5., too narrow rafters and floor joists....I could go on. ( They were fine houses and are still standing and looking good. )
Just before our boys left home we drilled into the that what they saw around them (our house and what was in it) took over 20 years of plugging away and saving, and for them not to expect everything at once. One listened and is in Fat City, even today. The other didn't and has declared bankruptcy twice.