Real estate has been regarded as one of the safest investments for quite some time. However, despite the relative safety of real estate investments, there is always the possibility that the real estate market can fall just like any other investment.
Over the long term, real estate remains relatively safe simply due to the fact that the population of the world continues to increase while land is a limited resource. When there is an occasional downturn in the real estate market, it is important to recognize certain strategies which can be used in order to keep a real estate investment from becoming a complete loss.
The first thought many people have when they realize the market has turned down is to attempt to sell the property as quickly as possible before the market gets worse. In reality, most investors have found that it is often better if they can hold onto the property and ride out the market downturn. While it is possible the market might dip lower before it rebounds, historically real estate markets always come back.
In some of the worst housing markets in the country, deflation has reached double-digit proportions. While housing woes have spread around the country, California appears to be poised to rank among the worse. One of the primary reasons for this is the fact that in the last few quarters California has experienced the largest rate of deflating home prices. In fact, home prices in California have fallen to levels that have been unprecedented.
Real estate has always been the fastest and safest investment vehicle to acquire wealth and reach millionaire status. But without a down payment your 
Back in 1999, Fannie Mae introduced a pilot program that lowered the credit requirements on loans that it would purchase from banks and lending institutions. The program was is intended, in part, to increase the number of minority and low income home owners who tend to have lower credit ratings than non-Hispanic whites.
