A friend of mine in the business community told me that sometimes he takes his investment cues from the news media. 

CNN's Eunice Yoon reports on whether China's property slump could become a crisis.

"When you guys talk about how hot a market is, I sell," he explained to me during the commodities boom. "When you talk about how disastrous a sector is, I buy."

Well, this week with the headlines dominated by the bailout of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, I couldn't help but wonder if my friend is soon going to invest in a home in the United States.

Property prices are falling all over the world. The troubles in the U.S. housing market are spreading as financial firms turn gun shy about lending to potential homeowners like you and me.

Even in places such as China and Macau - which have strong economic stories behind them - home prices are deflating. It's hard not to think that the world property market is poised for even further falls.

So, if you can get the mortgage, is it time to buy your dream home? Or does even the thought of it make you shudder?

The branding was not subtle. Giant banners reading PokerStars.Net surrounded the competitors in this year's Asia Pacific Poker Tour Macao event. I guess that is to be expected. Such online sites bring in much of the poker industry's revenue. They also sponsor many of the tournaments and competitors.

Watch CNN's Eunice Yoon on China's gambling habits.

The appeal, according to some players, is that anyone can play online. No intimidating casino, no need to travel - poker from the comfort of your own home.

But you can use online poker as a stepping stone. The appropriately named Chris Moneymaker, one of the game's biggest celebrities, won the 2003 World Series of Poker, and $2.5 million, after qualifying online.

From the players I saw in Macao, poker players pretty much run the gamut. Young and old, men and women. There was even one guy dressed as a joker.

So here come the questions. Do you play online poker? Would you play at the casino? Is there something about the Internet that boosts your confidence?