It appears that the “Bigs”–the large investors–have begun to move their money back into real estate after a lull.  Everyone in the real estate business (those of us who actually work at it) already knew this was going to happen.  The indicators have been suggesting an upward swing in the residential market for about 9 months now.  In November of last year, the real estate market actually bottomed out, and now it is once again on the rise.  Of course, it’s rising from a much lower level than it was in 2005, but it’s rising all the same.

Here’s an article that confirms what I’ve just written:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20603037&sid=aJrdCzCabdOs

And another:

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=297&storycode=3154229

Of course, what others do shouldn’t necessarily determine your plan of action. It’s interesting, though, and indicative of the climate in the real estate industry.  Many people feel that the decline in real estate is over, because (like gold), good real estate is a tangible asset that is limited in quantity.  There’s lots of unoccupied real estate, it’s true (in, say, the Gobi desert), but that’s not what we mean.  We mean real estate that is actually usable, and that provides the owner with income–it “works,” so to speak.  Should you buy real estate in 2010?  Perhaps.  If you don’t own the home you live in, you need to buy ASAP; if you do, then you need to discuss investment options with someone familiar with real estate (and perhaps trust deeds), and then come to your own conclusions.  Not every investment is for everyone.