Get Rich Slow, it's a long term play.The three recession/recovery cycles prior to 2007 in the South Bay area of Los Angeles played out as follows:1967-19814 year downturn of $1.00/sq. ft. or 5.6%11 year recovery of $69.00 sq. ft. or 406%1981-19911 year downturn of $1.00/sq. ft. or 1.2%8 year recovery of $55.60 sq. ft. or 65%1991-20074 year downturn of $26.40/sq. ft. or 18.8%12 year recovery of $216.00 sq. ft. or 189%No need to wait for the big drop as there is really no way to tell when it will arrive and real estate does not always move in line with the stock market. 

Well driving is faster but  taking the train you can arrive rested and less stressed, both have some value.