In many areas, real estate prices are dropping, inventory is up, and the doomsayers are predicting the worst.

But let’s get personal about this: is the right time for you to invest in real estate? Only you can make that decision, but don’t let “the current market” fear mongers scare you away from achieving your financial goals. Any time is the right time to invest in real estate if you know what you’re doing.

The National Association of Realtors® ran an ad in yesterday’s Orlando Sentinel that was interesting. Though it was targeted to individual homebuyers, investors could learn from it as well.

Some of the points in the ad:

• Right now, interest rates are still at historic lows, conventional financing is available, and FHA-insured mortgage applications are on the rise.

• On average, the value of a home nearly doubles every 10 years.

• During the past three decades, home values have increased an average of 6.6 percent per year.

• The average homeowner today has 36 times the wealth of the average renter.

Definitely something to think about.

Jackie