Then it cut its dividend when the financial crisis hit and the company appears again to be in trouble as it finds its way in this new economy.I consider dividends from stocks to supplement whatever income I generate from investing in real estate.

Modesto is getting refugees from the SF bay area housing / rental crisis.

I'm really hoping to get some cash out so I'm in a good position when this crisis starts to hit the housing market and deals start to become available.Thanks for the feedback guys.

Even though most realtors are not very good at negotiations, there are still a good bit that are, so consider using one that also has investment properties and is an experienced landlord.FYI- and to be fair to the many good realtors, I also think....scratch that...I know most mortgage brokers are weaker than circus kool-aid too, but there are a few that have made it thru the housing crisis and still standing

Government offered Federal AND State tax credits for first time buyers as part of the recovery from the housing crisis.

The expensive coastal communities in SoCal--ie Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, Newport Beach--probably only saw price drops of 15% and probably fewer foreclosures during the crisis.

As I suspect you are aware PUSD residences sell fast and even at the worse of the housing crisis they sold fairly fast.Just be prepared for some negative cash flow (not too much: it will be slightly positive until large expense).A little over a year ago I placed an offer on a duplex in Poway and did not mess around. 

Before the housing crisis, i'd go to the HUD website and they'd have homes listed in NH.

I guess one way would be buying "leftover" houses from the housing crisis.

But nobody thinks to call the neighbor who isn't going through any kind of financial crisis, nobody died and is happily married and just might be thinking to sell.