*I'd much rather put $50,000 down on something like a 30-yr mortgage for $250,00...

I'd much rather put $50,000 down on something like a 30-yr mortgage for $250,000 in a diversified index fund than do the same in a house. But alas this isn't an available product.

I agree with your point, but at the same time I'm not sure I'd want the irrational exuberance that we saw (and will see again) in the real estate market to start happening to equities!