Some rent or buy articles. "According to survey data released Thursday, the valley remained a rental bargain compared with Riverside County, Southern California and the state as a whole in the first quarter of 2006. There's always somebody else getting more for even less around the desert. 'I have a friend who's renting a four-bedroom, two-bath house near Twentynine Palms for around $600 a month,' said Alex Bransdorf."

"Riverside County's average rent in the first quarter was $1,084 (up 6.7 percent from a year ago), the Southland averaged $1,355 (up 5.9 percent), and the state average was $1,288 (up 5.2 percent). Various research organizations report that home prices in the valley have recently risen at an annual rate of 19.6 percent."

"'I have had people say that they're looking for homes, but then they come back and tell me, 'My God, Todd, my house payment's going to be this much money, I can't afford that.' So they're finding out that maybe they're just going to sit tight,' said apartment complex owner Todd Wolfe."

"Right now, the highest rent rates in the state are in Los Angeles, where the the average price is $1,485 a month. In Visalia, it's $758, Fresno $747 and Merced $702. Local realtors say they're finding some people who are selling their homes and moving into apartments temporarily, while the real estate market levels off."

"One builder, who is building a complex off Shaw and 41, says construction is not even done and the half of the apartments are already leased."

"Question: We are moving temporarily from the San Francisco Bay area to Europe. The market value of our house stands at $2.6 million, and we still have a $700,000 mortgage on it. We found pre-qualified renters who have agreed to commit to a two-year rental agreement at $9,000 a month, netting us a profit of approximately $3,100 after we deduct our mortgage, insurance, taxes and maintenance."

"So if we rent out the house, it would be cash flow positive, although at a minimal level. But we are concerned that since we'll be living overseas for at least three years, we may lose the $500,000 capital gains tax exclusion. Should we rent out the property, or invest the sales proceeds in the stock market?"

"Answer: What is more desirable in this day and age than positive cash flow in a softening housing market. But even though you've managed to find pre-qualified renters, you are wise to think twice about whether renting it out. You're denying yourself immediate access to all of that money you've accumulated, which you could use to rent or buy a palais on the Champs-Elysee, as well as invest in stocks, bonds or other investments. You also take on the responsibility of long-distance landlording, or paying a property manager up to 20% of your monthly rental income."

"So what to do? One simple way is to figure out the rate of return, also known as the capitalization rate, for your property...This gives you an investment yield, in this case, 1.4%. When this number is less than what you could receive on 10-year Treasury notes (currently hovering around 5%), you're better off selling the property, at least financially."