The area I am looking at is in a relatively depressed area that is likely headed towards an upswing here in Washington State.

So if someone depresses the drain plug, water can fill up and flood the bathroom.Is there a way to lock the drain plug so that it cannot be depressed?

It's a fairly depressed area with crime, unemployment, drugs, etc....BUT the real estate is very cheap and it rarely appreciates.

I don't like to generalize about any cities because most cities have their good areas and bad areas but Stockton in general is a very depressed city riddled with gangs and crime and that's where most unsuspecting people end up buying in Stockton.

That is, the Ringgit will eventually recover and I see this as nothing more than an opportunity to buy what's already cheap real estate at a cash discount.The flip side, of course, is you'll receive rent in a depressed currency so you either have to spend the money locally (buy more property?)

Some did multiple tours.In 2008 we were faced with the worst recession since the Great Depression.

If thinking like this article continues to grow, then being a true real estate investor is a great place to be:)As a home owner too, this article is actually very depressing because it breaks the reality of home ownership.  

Higher interest rates on mortgages will most likely depress housing prices.

I've always been productive and might get a little depressed if I wasn't doing something creative and productive.

It sounds like the prices are very depressed compared to the rent.