Indeed becoming a property owner became much complicated today than 30-50 years ago. However, youth generation also became different and I dont think that many dream of having their own flat or house. It past people were ready to work on same work and live in same town, house or flat forever. Now youth generation prefer traveling, changing jobs frequently, be free and independent. Now they have to many option to change, to many things to try or to have, and having a real estate will bind them to one place.
This is why many kids wait until their parents die, to get a house. I mean most of the houses are owned by the elderly because it was cheaper back then, and then they die, and what will happen to that house? You think that just goes back to previous owner? Lol. Of course it goes to the kids, and those "kids" are 40+ years old by then most of the time, and that means you are going to see things change a lot more.
I bet you that we are going to end up with a great result one way or another, and we are going to start making a lot more money as well. We should be focusing on how to get better results, and that means we are going to just focus on living right now without a house, just live for another goal, and then when they die, you get a house.
True. Many plan to inherit a real estate, and before that, they rent or buy something cheap with a plan to sell inherited property and get something better. You have mentioned that houses were cheaper in past and I think that major reason why housing is no longer a goal. People under 25-30 can not afford what they want. Nobody wants to buy a house or flat that were built 30-50 years ago. Everyone want new or recently built property, but they are very expensive.
In my country a two bedroom apartment in a house that was built 3-5 years ago, has an underground parking and area around house is nicely maintained, cost twice as more as same square apartment in a panel house that was build 50 years ago. Not many can afford to buy that old apartment... So they prefer to rent apartment in new house and pretend that its their home.