Hi "T",
You actually have an incredible opportunity right now, right where you are.
The best time to buy an investment is when "blood is running in the streets". Buy when everyone else is selling. This is contrarian investing, and it has worked for me twice in real estate.
Real estate markets cycle up and down in activity. Sometimes real estate in some areas (for whatever reason) take a real beating. The average homeowner wants to sell badly and can't. They will walk away from the home if they have to.
When I lived in Denver I bought a 1 bed/ 1 bath condo for a personal residence about 1994. Denvers economy had taken a huge hit due to an oil crisis. The real estate market was in the toilet. It seemed like every other home was for sale.
In fact when I bought a HUD owned condo, about half the condos in the subdivision were for sale or foreclosures. My agent/uncle told me I was crazy to buy the place. I paid $18,000 for it. 5 years later the market had turned around and I sold it for $37,000. Now, 10 years after making my "crazy purchase" this listing is similar to my old condo:
http://www.realtor.com/Prop/1041175192 I could tell you similar stories about where I live now in St. George, UT. but I think you understand what I am saying.
I suggest going out and trying to figure out how to buy as many properties as you safely can, right now.
Don Glasgow
Real Estate Investing Done Right