So, do you think it's a bad time to get into the investment property business and become a landlord? After all, property values aren't literally going through the roof anymore like they were during the real estate bonanza of the past several years.
Instead, the opposite scenario is currently taking place - property values have dropped (and are predicted to drop even further) in many parts of the country.
The fact that the real estate market has cooled and is "coming back to reality" shouldn't discourage anyone from buying rental property and becoming a landlord.
The truth is some very attractive buying opportunities are now being created for real estate investors who can (and are willing to) take advantage of them.
As of this writing, many of the top real estate experts believe that these opportunities will peak during the next six to twelve months before they begin to fade.
They're predicted to reach levels that haven't existed for many years.
The world's greatest investor, Warren Buffett, has long practiced his famous philosophy: "Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful.
" It's the perfect investment acumen that also applies to real estate - buy low and sell high when the opportunities exist.
With that being said and with real estate prices currently on the decline, it's hard to know just when prices will reach rock bottom before they level off and begin to rise again.
However, no matter what the pundits may advise, trying to "time" and predict the future of the real estate market is impossible without having a crystal ball.
The truth is no one really knows for sure what the future will hold.
But one thing is certain - real estate history has proven repeatedly that the markets eventually bounce back and reward those shrewd investors who had the wisdom to invest and take advantage of opportunities and low prices during weak markets.
But in the landlord business, buying investment properties at attractive prices, while extremely important, is not an end in itself.
The other part of the equation that makes the business thrive is effective property management.
Learning how to manage rental property effectively (and applying that knowledge) are the key ingredients for developing a rental property business thatoperates smoothly with maximum cash flow.
And this is really the name of the game for achieving long term financial success in the business.
Time will take care of property values and appreciation - the longer an investment property is held, the greater its chance for price appreciation.
And, effective property management is the key element that allows a landlord to "hold onto" and operate a rental property long enough to let market forces work and increase its property value over time.
In summary, building your financial future by maximizing your financial success with investment property relies primarily on three factors;

1. Buying Property at Discount Prices (i.
   e.
   , during "Buyer's Markets")
2. Learning and Applying Effective Property Management Techniques, and
3. Holding the property long enough to let "Time In the Market" perform its job of providing price appreciation.
   

All three of these factors will secure and maximize your success in the landlord business.