BG said “In a nutshell, today’s family-raising buyer’s “expectations” are w-a-a-a-y too high for life’s little realities, IMO. Those soaring “expectations” have kept more than a few prospective buyers perpetual renters.”

You make it sound like renting is a bad thing? Not everyone is fated to be a home owner. If memory serves, only 50% of LA residents are home owners. If you are disappointed because your expectations are not being met, might it be that “life’s little realities” are at fault, not your high expectations? I like to think of my expectations as being rooted in higher standards, which is not always synonymous with higher prices.