The means that are required to buy the house is the price of the house, or more specifically the terms of the mortgage (down payment + scheduled payments unless you buy outright). If you can afford those means you can buy a house. If you can’t, there are other options available to you, such as renting, living with someone else, or, if you can really demonstrate need, rely on government housing. Mind you the question is about buying houses.
Should housing even continue to be a thing which we buy and sell?
I don’t see why not.