My two-layers out suburb of an attractive city had a coworker sell their starter-esque home purchased a few years ago for $350k sell for $620k-ish in the matter

My two-layers out suburb of an attractive city had a coworker sell their starter-esque home purchased a few years ago for $350k sell for $620k-ish in the matter of three days. Meanwhile, I'm languishing hoping to buy my first home before I'm too old. About to permanently give up.