This is an impossible subject to give a easy answer to because there are so many variables
It is also impossible to remove the emotion from the mix, if you were only talking about an investment it becomes easier, but many people (women mainly) place a very high prioity on actually owning and living in their own home.
If you are going to use the money to make more money there are many who rent and leave the money in their business as it makes better economic sense, but to just leave it in the bank with no capital gains is not a good idea
Also home ownership is a much longer time investment than most other things
