Ken,My answer would be to know the market you are living in.The nation is struggling as a whole but certain markets have recovered and values are actually going up.Buying your own house could be a good investment if values are rising.If values are flat or declining and a bunch of short sales or foreclosures are looming then you might want to invest first.Also how much space do you need??

Home Depot sells a flat screen type drain for $18.

He allows me to get a property under contract and he will flat list it on MLS.

“The big wave is over,” he flatly told me.

There are flat packaged cabinets (ready to assemble) available from other sources, where plywood frames are used.

They never followed through with a audit request and eventually end with many of the franchisee's just flat out walking away from the contract.

The stock market has flat lined. 

I would flat out tell them if they want the apartment bad enough they should have no problem with you doing a background check. 

The water is not split between units, but I could charge the tenant a flat rate for water (say $50 / tenant / month) that would cover most of the bill.  

I want to buy a 2 or 3 flat via conventional or FHA loan in a a 'up and coming' neighborhood and rent out the other units.