What is the right price to pay for a condo?

With the current real-estate market here most people seem to agree that property is getting too expensive in Vancouver, particularly for first-time buyers. Opinions differ on what that means for the future, most people who earn their living through real estate seem to be of the opinion that prices will stay the same for a while (plateau), increase very moderately for the next few years (about the same as inflation) or dip slightly. Others take a more negative view, pointing to Vancouvers history of manic depressive real-estate price swings, including a one year 40% drop in house prices in the early eighties.

With the current build-up of houses and condos for sale and months of dropping sales its starting to look like we've hit the market peak - so how many are waiting on the sidelines to buy? If prices start to drop who will jump in to make sure they don't drop too much?

If you're looking to buy in Vancouver, but are currently 'priced out' or have found better places to invest your hard-earned money, what would convince you to buy in Vancouver? What do you feel is a reasonable price to pay for a house or condo in Vancouver? What about specific areas: the downtown core, kerrisdale, grandview, collingwood, etc.