This answer is so much appreciated!!

Not sure why it is so.

I know we are paying more than say a production national builder but our quality is so much better.. the folks that buy our homes are not looking for the best bang for the SQ ft price wise they are looking to have say in upgrades..

Our government pours so much money into new laws aimed at landlords, but they don't do anything to go after the real thieves.That is so sad and unfortunately happens all the time.

It is so helpful for me to really get a grasp on our current reality and plan for our future.

That's why the down payment is so low.

There is so much building going on that if I bought a small duplex, I would never be able to compete (unless, again, on price).You need to make the numbers work now, even if it is super slim.

Obviously our marriage and our joint happiness is so much more important than becoming financially free a couple years earlier.

Well it turns out the overall price they're charging is $89,000 and it is so far outside of my budget I have no way of paying this.Does anyone know how I should approach this?

It feels like the same city and is so close to the hot areas of the Highlands neighborhood and the Berkeley neighborhood.)