Personally, I've yet to delve into the investment sector but would like to get started as soon as possible.  

If someone comes to me, I'll send them your way.If you need help in your search or want to verify something don't hesitate to ask.For example: I have clients worldwide and things are just as easy as I e-mail them, talking on the phone.

The housing sector though is only part of the problem.

A friend of mine owns a CRE design/build firm and asked if I could come aboard to help with a number of development deals in the aviation and energy sectors.

Then I was thinking about buying a foreign investment property of two to rent out, thinking Thailand or Colombia, Panama. somewhere that is on the rise economically, and has plenty of room for growth in the tourist sector.

I believe this will keep prices at least stable (even with the rates up) and things will continue to move within the investment sector of this market.

Smaller cities tend to be dependent on a single company or market sector.

You just have to get out of the big bank sector.

He still does some work advising banks related to legacy HELOCs, he said.HELOC buyers not only have to consider whether the consumer has the wherewithal to pay the outstanding balance of the loan, but also whether they want to make other funds available to the borrower according to terms of the original note, Pallotta said.There are concerns related to pending legacy HELOC resets as well, although some say these open-end second lien reset fears are overstated.Reperforming and performing legacy seconds are the two areas where the limited group of loan buyers in these sectors seems more eager to buy recently, he said."

@Eric, look at macro/micro indicators... narrow it down to areas with solid population growth, and solid economic growth (from multiple job sectors)...Then look at rent-to-price ratio's and confirm that you can cash flow there.