, but also the decisions and lifestyles folks make -- from getting a good education to working hard to controlling spending.

It's a lifestyle, building relationships, being "the" expert AND being of assistance, nobody likes getting sold but everyone appreciates a genuine assistance and help. 

its hard for most builders to amass enough equity .. many end up doing it but it takes volume and years if your just doing a few at a time I flat will guarantee all profits go to life style and his personal over head.. not to savings.. some builders do not need outside capital others do..   

There's no point to pay city rent when you cannot have a city lifestyle. 

If it is to increase current lifestyle it could be a difficult task if your why is long term.

If they see you going from a SFR to a Duplex, they may not write because they see you using it as an investment rather than improving your lifestyle.

In the articles in explained the reasoning behind this trend: housing crisis of 2009, harder to get mortgage without large down payment, growing transient lifestyle with job market today, and a recent increase in acceptance of renting vs owning. 

The only thing you need to know is if the living situation is compatible with your lifestyle.

I love it here, as a lifestyle, and I believe in Chicago's future but I don't know if this is the time to jump into the market.  

My husband is active duty mitary so we have a rather transient lifestyle.