You seem to have a US-centric mindset. The article is specifically about EU prices. Renting, in Munich, Germany for example, is far less expensive than buying a

You seem to have a US-centric mindset. The article is specifically about EU prices. Renting, in Munich, Germany for example, is far less expensive than buying an equivalent home. Further, it is likely that the downpayment needed to take out a mortgage is significantly higher, percentage-wise, than the typical American mortgage, which also means people are paying more up front as prices continue to rise.