Thank you Joan. It drives me NUTS!  Last year I had a young woman whose parents offered to pay the entire downpayment on a 1BR condo. She couldn't quite afford a 2BR and that killed the deal. She was worried about how she would manage if she got married and started a family! HUH???? You aren't even engaged, let alone married with children! She is still throwing away money on rent (far more than the outlay on a condo). 

I hear you Tammy. I have two huskies and am facing a downsizing. Fortunately, both are senior dogs. The oldest one will be 14 in June. So they aren't that active. But it STILL is a blow to me to have to downsize. 

However, for younger people and people who really have no choice, it is better to own than to rent. It just is.