If you're an investor and you're a little shy of the real estate market because of the negative hype currently prevailing in the media, you could be missing the boat by waiting.  I can personally vouch for the fact (as can many other established reputable realtors) that the number of investor calls that I have received recently has dropped off dramatically compared to what it was only six months ago.  Yes, there is a noticeable downward shift in the number of ready and willing investors which is mostly due to the availability of certain types of loan products for investing. Providing you have good credit and at least a 20 percent down payment, financing should not be a hurdle that would rain on your parade. The other issue seems to be the fear factor.  Considering there are fewer investors in the market at present, this would tend to make for more opportunities for the remaining investors out there.  Right now, there is nothing wrong with the market that should keep you waiting it out for another day.  If the market goes up, that is great for sellers, and not so great for buyers.  So you might say, "Bernie, I hear what your saying, but if I want to flip a house, it seems like I would then in the same position as any other seller trying to unload property in this market"?  I tell sellers who become buyers (typically after the sale of their home), "One buys in the same market one sells in".  That is to say...hypothetically speaking, if upon the sale of a home in a down market the seller takes less for it than he otherwise might have taken at the top of the market, he could also have a reasonable expectation that he could (I believe within a three month period) purchase another home for less than top of the market price.  I said three months because markets can shift quickly and without warning for either a good or bad market.  Nothing is entirely risk free but we can follow certain methods and procedures and manage or reduce the risk to an accetable level.  However, the above concept applies in reverse for a "good market".  The result is that in either case, if you are a smart buyer who later turns seller you should receive a deal on at least one of the two properties (the one you just sold or the one you're about to flip).  Notice I said "smart".  Smart = you hire an agent that knows what they are doing, followed by listening to their advice.   Don't be a speculator and try your luck at flipping real estate.  You might as well go to Las Vegas and put boat load of money on the table, and "knock on wood".  If you're lucky you might be a winner!  Consistent winners follow a process and benefit from experience.  Rather, be an investor and partner up with an agent who will guide you in making a wise purchase!  A "yes agent" won't do because they will tell you what you want to hear.  They cave in, and agents who cave do not make good negotiators.  Guess what else you need?  That's right, you need a good (preferably great) negotiator to land you the best deal.   Why don't you consider giving me a call and lets talk about investing in the Fort Worth Real Estate market.

Regards,

Bernie