Property Investing

Graph showing the rate of a $1000 initial investment over a ten year period with a steady interest rate of 20%. Created using the graph feature of Excel 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Investing in properties was once considered a low risk investment, but like all markets, nothing is guaranteed. Although we are still lingering in the hangover of the real estate market crash from a few years ago, foreclosure rates are down and property values are slowly starting to increase. One might even be optimistic and say that now is the time to become a property investor and ride out the possible growth. My advice would be to go for it, but know what you're up against and have a plan.

Although national real estate markets overall have been good over the past year, there are plenty of outliers. Towns like Houston and Phoenix have seen spikes in real estate development with emerging businesses and markets, but towns only a few miles away have reaped no benefits. When investing in anything, it's always good to know with what you understand and know. Don't make big time decisions based on hints you hear from the media or public opinion articles.