Another unknown is what will Global Warming do to prices? 

To deny climate change outright is foolish.However, the degree of change is so minuscule that it would never be noticed in several lifetimes.Do not be surprised if 10 years from now the media will tout warnings of a global ice age.Just look at history:https://anhonestclimatedebate.wordpress.com/2009/08/02/climate-change-alarmism-timelin/

This is how I would categorize lenders with some basic limiting underwriting factors:Banks/credit units - long seasoning, GLOBAL DTI, rigid documentation, good/long-term ratesTier 1 private money (institutional private money) - Short seasoning, property DTI, rigid doc, good/long-term rates (not as low as banks)Tier 2 private money (institutional private money) - Short seasoning, NO DTI, asset based, moderate doc, higher long term ratesTier 3 private money (institutional private money - bridge term lending, typically interest only type loans for 12-24 months. 

Rental Returns and Cap appreciation rates varies depending on the country you choose to purchase.Markets that tend to be less dependent on credit are faring better with the global credit crisis.According to the recent survey by AFIRE predict that foreign investors in real estate expect to spend in '09 than in '08.

Business has never faced the type of moral challenges that it faces in today’s global economy. 

My name is Adaeze Medani and I am a senior at the University of Washington studying Sociology and Global health.

You can hit 10 cash buyers in the head just by tossing your gum out your car window here.

Global real estate license (https://grel.org) has pretty useful real estate courses.

Your a science guy, spend your time saving us from global warming...LOL and let the other guys fix and find houses...

@JT Yourinson yes, chimerical lenders will allow down payment funds to come from helocs so long as the global cash flow makes sense.