Tamar writes about the incredibly frustrating price of real estate in California. We must say every other week, “I do not see how anybody buys a home in this city. How do normal people live here?” We recently looked at a house for sale a block over from where we rent on our way back from voting. It was $875,000. With wood paneling throughout the home.

Fine, fine, homes are expensive. But where are you supposed to get a down payment? When do you have a hundred thousand dollars lying around?

Why am I up so early? I got four hours of sleep last night. What am I doing to myself?