Heck there's parts of Chicago that have worse crime statistics than Trenton or Newark and some folks insist on investing there.

Short of having a crystal ball, the only thing I can think of is have the right indicators/statistics and keep an eye on them and be ready to move RAPIDLY when we hit bottom (RE acquisitions) and be ready to move RAPIDLY in transfering over to the inflationary strategy.

Originally posted by Franklin Lee:Real estate on average does not appreciate at 3% a year; it appreciates at 6% a year inflation adjusted. .Please provide evidence to back up this statistic.

Their statistics tend to be dated and don't follow the true market picture.As mentioned already, you need to partner up with a Realtor who can give you comps.

Look at the real statistics, numbers don't lie.

However that is strictly in terms of the statistics used to measure such things.

Mike,Thanks for the reply...yeah, I've heard the statistics on lease options, but, I guess if the eventual sale would somehow be guaranteed, my leanings are toward fulfilling the sale and using the proceeds in a 1031 to move into two or three new properties, which would hopefully give me three properties with 80k equity outright in fifteen years...what do you think?

Jon, Although your statistic is interesting I would argue that those are two different markets.

Statistics show that Conservatives (yep, not a typo) are more generous when it comes to their money.

His opponent, Sharon Angle has been screwing up royally with ill-advised comments and instead of leading by a wide margin the race is a statistical dead heat at the moment.