<prompt> Human: I got married last month and weve started looking for a house. Problem is, the housing market in our area is a little crazy right now. We are in our mid-twenties and currently rent a one-bedroom apartment in a suburb and would like to stay around here because our family and friends all live in the area, and the town we live in is absolutely going to continue getting more expensive in coming years for a number of reasons. My wife and I make around 120k combined annual salary and we have around 80k-90k saved up in the bank. We both have excellent credit and have already been pre-approved for a loan. Our reasons for wanting to move are: 1. We want kids and need the space a home that would be approved by an adoption agency, 2. Rent in our area is just as high, if not sometimes higher, than mortgage payments, 3. If we dont buy now, its just going to continue getting more unaffordable and buying now will help us get a greater return on investment with the predicted growth. Many houses in the area that would have been affordable 10 years ago are now going for 1 million or more. But the ones that we are looking at for our needs are in the 380k-450k range. I know that sounds high given our salaries, but that is what people have to pay to live in this area - the other option is to just continue renting and paying just as much monthly. I wish the market was what its like in the south with gorgeous houses sitting on a huge chunk of land for 100k-200k but its not. Furthermore, every open house is packed with buyers and theyre submitting offers 20k-80k above asking price in straight cash. I feel so discouraged and I am not sure what I can do. I have heard of people buying a plot of land and getting pre-fab homes but I think that would ultimately end up being just as expensive and a lot more work. The other options are to get a super fixer upper for slightly less, or move really far to pay slightly less and have a miserable commute. Is there anything else I can be doing? Any options Ive overlooked? I just want to buy a home for me and my wife to start our family together but it feels like our generation is screwed.  <response>: Is there anything else I can be doing? Any options Ive overlooked? Nope. Housing in desirable areas is expensive. Basic law of supply and demand. When two people want to buy something, the people with more money than you are going to get it. Keep saving, earn more money, and make friends with realtors who might be able to turn you on a rare sweetheart deal. 