You don't say what your expectation or your price range are. Are the prices truely high or are the expectations of what you can get for what you want ro pay high? I'm on house purchase #3 (own 1, not a land lord). They all needed work, even the 'brand new' house needed customizing. Are you looking for a specific neighborhood, school district, number of bedrooms? What is it that you find is expensive?

I ask because I look at real estate often and there are bargains out there.