<prompt> Human: Context: The national average for student loans is about 30k, and from what I understand there are many who are either making minimum payments or not paying at all. Question: Because so many are strapped with student loans, wouldnt this prolong many from buying houses thus driving down prices?  <response>: People still buy houses while they have student or car loans. What matters is how many of them have bad credit and get offered outrageous mortgages. 