I'm curious what part of the country you are in. My husband and I are relocating soon and in doing research I can't say I've found any housing market that isnt seeing a nice rise at the moment.

We are moving from Florida to rural North Carolina. The house we currently own, was paid for in cash in 2010. We bought it as a foreclosure for 105,000. Today comps in our neighborhood are in the 320,000 - 375,000 range. We will be able to buy acreage after we sell it.

Even if you count every penny we put into it we still make 100,000 at very least and can pay cash for our next house. I think part of what we did right was buying a ho-hum older house that needed cosmetic work and landscaping. My husband loves to garden and I'm good with knowing how to turn ugly into lovely with some paint and elbow grease.

You know what works best for you.
Best of luck to you!!

However, I'd never give up home ownership.