JWM, I understand your situation. I have co-workers who are in similar situation. They have waited for the last 10 years and are frustrated as you are. They want to buy in the nicest chick area (CV in their case) but don’t want to pay the hefty price.
My advice to them is that since they have waited this long, they might as well wait a little more to see their idea play out. It looks though, as they look at more and more houses, they are more inclined to pull the trigger. After all, having your own house is quite enjoyable even with all the work and cost involved.
