But if the same real-estate principles are adopted, one could achieve close to the fabled 3-digit return?

It may be a different world of fiat currency now but I'd submit Japan. 25 years of deflation while the population increased.

The 4 digit house number is visible in the photo you posted.And I know the city well enough to be able to guess (based on the characteristics of the house) what area it was in.  

Hi Jonathan,If you're thinking of investing in the US, make sure you think through currency fluctuations and where the US dollar is trading as compared to the Canadian dollar.  

I am currently starting up a business in the fitness niche and trade currencies full time on the Forex market.

Here in Canada, the process is well defined and requests can be made though any police force (national - RCMP, Provincial - QPP, OPP, NF Constabulary, or local) or, in certain situations, though specificly designated agencies (those who perform digital fingerprint services, or those who can perform name-based checks)

SF has seen double digit growths and it's slowing down, yet, still growing.

Can you dig it?...

@Ron I'm not quite sure it's just speculating if I personally know people who have seen great double digit returns in the short-term.

Good post, I agree with you, i do believe a correction is coming, but with investors now having to put more skin in the game and not being able to drive up prices like they did years ago with no money down products and loose lending requirements, i dont think it will happen this year maybe 2 or 3 years down the road and that also depends on what region you are talking about, we didnt really feel the crash out here and we didnt experience the double digit appreciation either , i wasnt thinking of selling when i refinanced, a few months after i did it, my tenant moved out so that got me to thinking about changing my goals, i was in a 6.15 30year loan still paying pmi, so the fixed 15yr @ 4.375 was a better deal for me, and yes counting on appreciation is not good because its not guaranteed, i may end up keeping it because I like the idea of having it paid for in 15 years.