This article from Bloomberg News is interesting on many accounts. It also covers several topics ranging from real estate investing, to currency valuation, as well as speculation. Brazilians are moving into the Miami market, primarily due to two reasons: A) Their currency (when hedged against the dollar) has increased greatly in value, and B) They can enjoy their wealth in Miami much better than in Brazil – relatively so –  without becoming targets for robbery/theft and violence.

Timing is not everything though. Timing is the first half. The second half is having your investment tools ready and in order; lender backing/pre-approval, cash moved into position, knowledge of the market so that when you pull the trigger, you are confident in your decision, as well as having discipline and the confidence to make a smart move. These are the basics that an opportunistic investor must have.

Also, Robert Schiller is quoted as saying that over the next 3-5 years, real estate values in the U.S. (in general) could possibly drop 10%-25%. That’s quite a broad range, and with it would be tough to lose, with a prediction like that. I think the 25% part, or anything near that is highly unlikely.

I think it is a great time to purchase homes, so long as you stick to the basic rules of smart investing/buying.