When I bought my modest house, in 1992, it cost 3 and one half times my gross income. It may seem strange, but that was a rather poor income at that time. I now earn much more and am doing quite well. Only part of this is because I have no mortgage. Now my house is worth nearly 6 times my gross! Anyone who thinks that young couples today should just do without to stay at home with their kids, just can't do the math.