The latest story making rounds in our online communities has struck a particularly painful chord. It’s about a young family who did everything by the book - saved diligently for a deposit, chose a regional area, lived within their means, and even managed to boost their household income. Now, they’re facing an insurmountable barrier to creating their dream home.

Their modest plan to convert a two-bedroom cottage into a three-bedroom home with a deck has come back with quotes around $400,000 - the same amount they paid for the entire house. Just two years ago, the same work would have cost $250-300,000. This stark reality check hits particularly hard because it represents a broader issue plaguing our housing market.