The California Association of Realtors reports that the median priced home in California rose to $545,910 recently. This leaves California households, with a median income of $54,140, $73,810 short of the $127,950 qualifying income needed to purchase a median-priced home. The income gap has increased nearly 34% from this time last year. But, with values predicted to increase approximately 10% in 2006, the real estate market remains one of the most popular and profitable investments…if you can afford it.