There are areas in Houston that still fall into this, in spite of our recent real estate price boom.

It was being done during the boom years and you can google it but there are limits on cash back at closing and to intentionally due it to inflate the price is illegal.

And the small desert oil towns have their own RE cycles based on recessions, booms and which fields get opened and closed.Prices were not out of control late1990s.  

You make an offer, close on it for the agreed amount and boom, its yours!

Boom.

In the third scenario there is a real estate boom and properties appreciate by 10% per year and your property becomes worth $1.2M. 

Jacksonville seems to be a pretty booming.

The market for new homes is booming, which opens door for the lower classes to move up to the next level, even if they can't afford to buy.

well that's why I moved to west Michigan from Jersey the market over is booming...you can find home for under market rate and they are going for better fair numbers...I already know a few contractors...what I'm trying to figure out is how other people started with their funding, either saving or loans I just like to hear other people stories

I may be biased because it's my adopted home, but Austin is nice.It's rated #1 by Forbes as a boom town:http://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2016/01/14/...Top three cities to find a job:http://austin.culturemap.com/news/city-life/01-04-...One of the best to start a career (which is different than finding a job:http://austin.blog.statesman.com/2016/02/03/austin...Ranked #1 city for young families:http://austin.culturemap.com/news/city-life/05-10-...There are a lot more of these articles, these were just the first five that came up when I Googled "best cities to live".