Investing in a Down Market

All investments depend on making returns, which in turn are affected by macro cycles such as the Great Depression or the dot-com boom. When a market is receding, it makes more sense for long-term, stability-seeking investors to look elsewhere upon first glance. However, in the case of the housing market of many parts of the US, the likelihood of long-term housing depression are still relatively slim. Furthermore, other factors will continue to influence the stability of housing pricing in the short term.

Likely investors in most areas will be able to get great values for some time, but housing prices have statistically increased on a per-capita level for the vast majority of the past century. Even with the 30% decrease in home prices during the years of 1930-33, economic stimulus eventually prevailed. The Depression was also the primary topic of a young Ben Bernanke who, before his current position as head of the Federal Reserve, wrote a 350-page report on how the US' largest recession was due to the blunders of the then newly-created institution. Bernanke has also taken more unprecedented steps to help preserve large investment banks than homeownership, citing a housing bubble which needs a necessary (though unfortunate) correction.

As foreclosure rates continue to increase, many properties are being revalued at less than the price they were purchased at. However, this is only half the story. America's losses are oft distributed unequally. And while the Midwest generally experiencing the worst effects of past recessions, this time may be a little different. Across middle America, home prices have depressed for seven straight months, but several previously hot markets have deteriorated below pre-bubble prices. Southern California and Arizona are two examples that stand out, particularly in terms of how rapidly falling home values have affected previously booming areas.

Now consumers are hit with two difficulties which make housing slumps particularly viscous: rising mortgage payments and loss of home equity, which has restricted lines of credit for homeowners. Furthermore, the advantages of America's size are diminished in a housing slump because homeowners are unable to migrate to other areas. Historically, there have been many such exoduses from economically depressed areas in search of higher wages, but homeowners are increasingly unable to do so unless they sell their homes at a loss.

This stagnation also means that markets with rising values will continue to attract investment, while government intervention may be necessary to lift more blighted areas. The Northwest continues to experience positive property values, despite the prospects oflooming layoffs from troubled financial firms. Texas continues to experience exceptional developmental growth, and relatively stable house prices in his area likely contributed to the Dallas Fed's dissenting vote against the recent record Federal Funds Rate cut. In central Texas, development has continued relatively unabated, in contrast with other areas where property values have dropped more considerably. This reasoning indicates that these markets are likely to accelerate growth as the larger economy recovers from the sub-prime crisis, and will probably be more valuable in the mid-term by comparison to more depressed areas.

Either way, the US recession is not likely to remain too deep, thanks to the generous monetary policy of the Fed. Should current inflationary pressures continue their current trends, home prices will necessarily rebound, although not quickly enough to facilitate speculative short sells. Therefore, for those looking for the long haul, deals are out there.

Perfect time to Make Money With Real Estate

You have probably seen many commercials on television claiming that you can become wealthy with real estate investing. The fact is that real estate is a powerful vehicle to generate great wealth however it does still require knowledge and expertise on your part in order to find profitable investments. Real estate is a very predictable and solid investment platform versus stock market investing which can be highly volatile and risky.

The best way to get into real estate investing is to first create a successful business of some sort that is generating solid positive cashflow and then use that money to invest in real estate to grow your wealth. This is the formula that the many of the richest people in the world use. If you are currently broke then it is highly recommended that you stay away from real estate investing for now since investing in properties is both capital and time intensive. Once you have created a successful business asset you should have the time and money to expand into real estate investing successfully.

How do you create a successful business if you are currently broke? Well you may want to consider looking into internet marketing and specifically affiliate marketing as it does not require you to have a product or service to begin with so you can make money quite fast and without having to spend money and time to create a product. Ebay marketing can be another option you may want to look into also. Also remember that if you have vision and creative ideas you can attract funding for your business from wealthy investors as long as you can convince these investors that you will be able to succeed with your business ideas.

Remember that just because you do not have money it does not mean you cannot create a profitable business since there are plenty of wealthy investors looking for bright entrepreneurs that they are willing to provide money to as long as they feel that their return on investment will be worthwhile.

One of the important keys to keep in mind in successful real estate investing is that your money is made when you buy and not when you sell. Make sure that the investment you are looking at meets the criteria of a profitable investment. A profitable investment is one where the investment generates a positive cash flow for you right from the start. Property appreciation should be looked upon as a bonus and not something that you count on in order to make your money.

Perhaps the best real estate investment strategy is to buy properties at a price that allows you to rent out the property for a value that is greater than the expenses associated with the property so that you have positive cashflow or a profit. Of course you do want to look at the appreciation rate of the property for the last several years and look for a steady solid increase but if the property will not create positive cash flow right from day one then it is not the best investment.

The properties you purchase should be assets. Banks define assets slightly differently than many wealthy investors. Most wealthy investors look at assets as something that puts money in your pocket at the end of the month after all expenses are accounted for. While many people consider their homes as an asset, many rich investors consider their homes as a liability since it usually takes more money from your pocket at the end of each month.

Always consider your cashflow when evaluating a property and never get attached to property emotionally just because it looks cute. The property must look profitable after crunching all the numbers in order to consider purchasing and renting it out. Real estate investing is indeed an extremely powerful and proven wealth vehicle so first create a successful business that generates solid positive cashflow and then increase your wealth exponentially through real estate investing.