THERE IS A LOT OF NOISE WHEN IT COMES TO REAL ESTATE NEWS--HOW TO DECIPHER?

A lot of people are certainly nervous these days...And yet, still, there is optimism.  Who to believe?  The sky is falling or the sky is the bluest it's ever been!  How about the truth lying between these two extremes.  Certainly our economy continues to do well, our stock market volatile because of world markets, namely China.  Positive: growth is steady as the economy adds 215,000 jobs in July.  Negative: China seems to be slipping.  Positive: instead of seeing this as bad for housing, because of all the cash buyers from China in the last year could evaporate, think positive of all the money in China that will be looking for a safe harbor; exiting their markets and searching for places to park their cash.  Positive:  Housing is the number one need on the horizon, meaning we need to build, a lot.  Negative: trying to find enough workers.  Positive: If you already have a home and you wish to sell it, there is probably a ready and willing buyer or two or three, who would like a chance to buy.  Negative: August just finished the worst month for the stock market in years.  Positive: the Feds may now be unwilling to raise interest rates, which was a certainty two weeks ago.  If you want a sure bet, there is a savings account available with .05% interest available.  The real estate and stock markets may not be for you.  One of those markets just lost 3 trillion in one week on paper, and the other is up 5.3% year over year for the latest month available. (July 2015)  But let's remember some practicalities: 1) You have to live somewhere  2) Interest is deductible  3) there is a homeowner's tax deduction of $7,000 4) every time you make a mortgage payment you build equity  5)no one can make you move but you.  6) decorate any way you wish.  But perhaps the most interesting comment that can be made is that if you own your own home you will undoubtedly retire sooner and in better financial shape.