@Patrick CostelloI'd say there are a few reasons why someone would buy a such a high price.They believe the market will keep going up, or plan to stay in for a long term.

In Florida, Teen killed in motorcycle accident  ( highly suspect that his plan to claim on insurance went awry and strong prescription painkillers involved).Single person occupancy and he was the only person on lease.He was in the midst of moving out, but left behind starving animals, drug paraphernalia, junk.Now multiple strangers are driving around and selling off his 6 vehicles and have been staying in the house after his death. 

If you're not interested in women, no judgment here, but I suspect when all is said and done the same financial realities are going to be completely true about gay people -- overwhelmingly, long-term couples that fight to stay together and build their financial future together are the only ones that have a chance to make it.

Or, do rents stay steady out there?

But you will mitigate it and of course it will stay deferred as long as you own it.One big question would be, "Where do you want to retire". 

So many cities with new ordinances are saying that if the tenant will not allow the interior inspection to evict them.Please if you invest in the KC metro, become a member of one of the many landlord groups and stay informed because the city councils and advocacy groups are trying very hard to change the way things work and have worked for years.

Especially if you plan on staying East.

Me, it would cost several hundreds to fly out from LA, plus vacation time, plus car, plus hotel (I can't stay with my daughter, I'm allergic to that mutt of hers).

The Obama era "cole memo" which allowed state decriminalization to stay off the federal radar screen has been formally rescinded--and the new MA federal attorney has stated he has the right to prosecute all involved.

We stay home for the most a week then gone again.