Right now, I think the perception of value is lagging by tenants.

When an emergency occurs, we're only 9 meals from societal breakdown (if we're lucky).

If your prospective partner can't manage to be patient with people, and treat all people with respect regardless of his or her perceived notion of their station in life (and often it is merely perception- it's not where you are, it's where you're going- and that includes the maid) then some people would give you the well-educated, polite interpretation that they must have a poor self-image themselves.

That perception is not correct, but their commission is primarily the only thing they are concerned with.

Take away our perception of what a "good" landlord should be and we're left with economics 101.

I was merely trying to point out that the common perception of the mortgage interest deduction tilting the scales in favor of home-ownership is false.

To be fair I did leave room for my perception to be "off".

My perception (which could be flawed) tells me that the middle class is disappearing at the moment, and may be for a while until things balance out - Probably more into tech and alternative energy, agriculture, etc...

Societal pressures weigh VERY heavy, and it is the "cool" thing to be a screw up for some reason - that is the problem.

Right now and for the next few years investors and homeowners alike will find bargins, but be careful in gauging your valuations based on historical perceptions.