Amazing. A family member bought a house four years ago in Lakewood in the mid-100's, and sold it last month for $350K. They could have NEVER qualified for the sale price mortgage. Average Joe's are being squeezed out of the housing market right quick. When the bubble bursts there are gonna be lots of real unhappy folks and banks. It is the story of the pioneers. Things were very expensive back east, so they loaded up the wagons and headed west. There is still lots of affordable places to live in Colorado, but not if you have to have the big city. In my area a very nice 1700 sq ft home on five acres with million dollar views went for 79K. It can be done. You don't need the big job for a $300 mortgage and $400 a year property tax. And you'll get over city life real quick. You'll find out that the front range really isn't all that special after all.