Good point. I think the answer is that the definition of market is ... flexible. Avocados are a commodity and cheap enough that yeah everyone in US can afford

Good point. I think the answer is that the definition of market is ... flexible. Avocados are a commodity and cheap enough that yeah everyone in US can afford one. Not true for global population living on a dollar a day.... Houses are probably more like a car market - it's designed to cover everyone, and so there is a percentage that is unaffordable - and that I think is the real point - the orignal article kind of assumes all houses should be affordable - but that's not true. The OP argues that only 50 % are affordable - that's kind of a guesstimate and think the percentage is more likely similar for cars - not sure what it is but let's guess 80%. Add in fact that affordability is defined so ways - percentage of incame and will someone give you mortgage and most of the disagreements go away