Housing Costs

The June 10 Herman cartoon featured a man reading the homes for sale ads and the punch line read: “It says: ‘Ideal for first-time home buyers. Only $214,000.’ ” This may seem humorous to people in other parts of the country, but here it is an understatement.

I looked at houses in Lomita recently. One typical house, 1,020 square feet, 30 years old, was advertised as a starter at $239,000. If lower-middle-class neighborhood houses are in this price range, how can the average person who does not yet own a house ever hope to buy one?

GREG LONG

Redondo Beach