House of the rising sum no more

How do you climb a mountain that gets bigger every time you crest another ridge?

That's the question facing wannabe home owners such as Brendan and Miranda Horan, a young professional couple with a two-year-old son, Kiahi.

A year ago, the Horans had hoped to buy their first home for a little more than $200,000. Today, soaring property prices have forced them to raise their budget to $300,000.

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