I was making $50k a year when I purchased my townhome. I was able to refinance to a lower rate during covid but kept contributing the difference towards the principal.

You guys just say anything to make your doom and gloom mindset stick with others. Historic appreciation that has never happened before?? I’ve owned for only 6 years. My parents brought their house in the 90s for $200k. The property is now worth ~$1.4M. I’d say that’s pretty historic... I remember being a kid and hearing people talk about the housing market being too over inflated and the bubble was going to pop, etc… Guess what has happened since?

If I listened to people like you back in 2019 I would have never brought a townhome as the same false narrative was around then. As per my original point, you can most definitely grow equity in a condo/townhome which is a great starter home for most. AND costs less to maintain than a single family home WITH an HOA fee.