Because of the current economy, many people are hesitant to invest in real estate. In the past, investors easily made money in very short periods of time. It was exciting and often homeowners moved several times in order to accrue equity and have a bigger house. Rentals were also great and investors bought them and enjoy success as landlords and watched the value of their property go up quickly. Things have changed, but some people are still investing and making money in the real estate market. It is tricky, but possible to do.

Studying the current market is the place to start. Prices can be confusing with short sells and foreclosures. No one is really sure this is the bottom of the market. More homes are expected to go into foreclosure this year. They might bring the average price of a home down even further. Interest rates remain low and it looks like they will for a while longer.
People who are willing to take a few risks are jumping in and buying homes at low prices. They try not to put to much money into them before they turn them back on the market. Many times though, with the added cost of the realtor, not much money is added, if any. Some of those investors have found that putting renters into their new property and waiting until the market rebounds to be the best answer. It is not a fast way to make money, but if they are willing to play the waiting game and have a good renter, they will make money in the future.
There is not a record number of homes for sale, but some of them are being offered at great prices. The savvy buyer will wait until they find an owner who needs to sell at a rock bottom price. That way, even if the market continues to fall, they have made a good deal. But the important part is waiting until that property comes along. It is not as easy as buying the first attractive property that comes on the market. Waiting and watching for the right property is necessary.
The smart buyer is one to also look out for geographical locations when purchasing their houses. It is crucial to know where the market is hitting the hardest location-wise. This means that cities such as Detroit, Pittsburgh and Rochester are all places that have very low annual costs to own a house. It is not necessarily recommended to purchase housing here unless a buyer foresees improvements, but that is the risk one needs to take when dealing with the real estate market. On the other hand, some proven up and coming markets for a buyer may be real estate in Louisville KY. These properties are often seen as sustaining high value over a mark of time.
Anyone who is willing to take a risk and is willing to be patient has a good chance of making money in this down turned market. There are no guarantees, but with some counsel and the right properties, it could be the best time. Money is there to be made, but it may take time. For some, this might be the best time to invest. Risk takers are often the people who end up ahead at the end of the game.