I wasn't actually referencing capital gains. It's the tax code. I think it was in that 1986 legislation where they made it so the only interest you could deduct of taxes--at least for an individual--was the interest on a home mortgage. Before that, you could deduct credit card interest, auto loans, and etc.
             The tax structure created a situation where if you weren't making house payments, you got killed in taxes. I think this created a system where older people who had paid their house off felt the need to trade up, and professional people who might otherwise rent, simply couldn't afford to.

             All I'm saying is, this added to the problem, but it took a long time to materialize.