Am I mad for wanting a 35-year mortgage just to keep my lifestyle?

I hear you, the home buying process can be incredibly frustrating when nothing seems to go your way. The core issue is that the housing market has become completely disconnected from reality, driven by factors outside of your control. Rampant investor speculation, zoning laws that choke new construction, and easy money policies from the government have created a perfect storm of skyrocketing prices and shrinking inventory. The good news is there are steps you can take to navigate this minefield. Start by running a "Reality Audit" using the framework in our guide. This gives you a clear-eyed view of your actual financial situation and buying power, stripping away the noise and hype. Next, deploy the "Smart Buying Protocol" to systematically evaluate properties and make competitive offers. Key to this is the Offer Strategy System, which helps you determine the right price to bid without overextending. Finally, don't lose hope. When you get the Decision Framework right - aligning your must-haves, deal-breakers, and tradeoffs - you'll be able to make smart choices that set you up for long-term financial security, not just a short-term lifestyle fix. It may take time and persistence, but taking control of the process will pay dividends for decades to come.