I read the beginners guide, and it kind of advises not investing?

[Brooks F.]

I read the beginners guide to real estate, and based on my interpretation of the section about the RE cycles, it seems pretty clear that this is a "Bad time to buy"

However, I also read the section that "Not acting" is pretty much the worst thing to do.

This is creating paralysis from analysis! (also what the guide talks about!)

So whats your take... is this an awful time to get started since the property values are so high and the appraisers aren't appraising as high as the purchase prices? or is this a fine time as long as your smart and don't do anything stupid?

Is it worth waiting for the market to decline, or should you move simply because procrastination is more painful than a bad move?

[Jay Hinrichs]

I think it somewhat regional personally.

in markets that are pretty stable no real ups and downs.. what does it matter your just looking for a certain rental return on a certain quality property.. if the property hits that then fine.. being those markets don't top and drop just kind of trundle along.

you only take a loss if you sell for less than you paid or if you have a non appreciating asset and you HAVE to sell in 3 to 5 years your probably going to lose money..

but if your long term buy it and pay it off.. in other words have enough rental income that your tenant paid it off..  and so your tenant paid off say 80% of it and maybe 100% of it.. who cares what the market does even if it goes in half you still made money because your tenant paid your house off.

And I am assuming your in the 90% of investors that is just looking to be a landlord.

were you have to be more cognizant of market trends is what we do.. value add building new construction land development ext.. those are much more risky in fluctuating market.

for us we are gung ho on 2018 and probably most of 2019... sales are brisk in Portland prices up 20% from last year and sales are steaming..

but that's more of a business not just buy and hold.

I have personally been in this game for 42 years continually and have bought, sold, rented, loaned money and cut timber in every year ..  regardless of what was happening.. changed models yes but always doing something.  08 09 were bloody aweful though no getting around that we got our butts handed to us.. but no one is predicting another melt down anytime soon