House Hunters

Sometimes I watch "House Hunters" on HGTV if I'm off my feet for any length of time. It amazes me how some people who don't appear to have any steady source of income cry "poverty" and must stick with a ridiculously high "budget." of more than most people here in Michigan will ever be able to afford. Equally amazing is how a house can be priced at something like $180K and only have two bedrooms, one tiny bath and a cracked foundation! I know things are "different" in Michigan, but am I living in a parallel universe?