I mean, they can try, but market forces are outside their control.
I don't think the US wanted to have their housing market collapse in 2008 (?), but it happened nonetheless.
It would suck, psychologically, to "lose" 30% of my house's value in a downturn, but it would be better for the economy if that happens. And, really, now that I'm a homeowner, all that really matters is the difference in house values when I go to sell/buy. So a downturn might actually be "good" for me, since the differential between this first and a "better" house would be smaller.
Right now, boomers are selling in hot markets to find lavish retirement, transferring wealth from the younger generation to older on massive volumes.