Much is being said lately about investments. There are many investments that one could make: stocks, notes, gold, retirement plans, etc. However, one of the safest ways to invest is in real estate. Credit Union Rate is your source for information on the market and the investment potential it offers.

It is important to note that no investment is safe, and that all investments have risk. However, real estate investing tends to have less risk, as most property values go up rather than go down. And even when interest rates are in flux, the overall value of real estate tends to increase. It is a good idea to talk with your credit union financial adviser about current trends in your area, and how real estate investing can diversify your portfolio.

But like any good investor, knowledge is required to make a wise investment decision. You should have a good idea of what it is you are investing in, as well as what its potential worth is. Making investments blindly is a good way to lose, rather than make, money.

Here are some tips for more efficiently researching property with real estate investing potential.

Understand the neighborhood. Thoroughly research a neighborhood before purchasing a property there. Know whether mostly young couples live there for starter homes. These neighborhoods often see turnover as families grow and young couples upgrade. In order to know how to best market the property, you should know about the area's primary inhabitants. Is the neighborhood safe? And, of course, how is the location? The old saying "Location, location, location!" is a true one. If the neighborhood is near good schools, minutes away from shopping, and located away from main thoroughfares, it is considered much more desirable.

Determine the future prospects of an area. Like the previous tip, knowing whether the area has potential for growth is important. An area that is rundown and likely to end demolished to make way for a new highway or utility station is not a sound investment. However, if a developer is planning to open a high end shopping, dining, and entertainment plaza a few blocks away, you are likely to find that the area has great growth potential. If you are looking to buy land, check to see if the growth rate of a city warrants you buying a few acres on the edge, allowing you to hold it until developers need it for expansion.

Watch for new developments. Keep an eye on the newspapers and city council meetings. This will give you an "in" as to where ideal areas are located. Beautification projects in "rundown" areas are great things to keep in mind, as it usually means an influx of money and new attractions. Make sure the developer is reputable, however, or you may find that you have been taken in along with the rest of the city's residents when delays, scandal, and stoppages sink the entire project.

Don't forget the Internet. The Internet is a great place to look for potential real estate investing opportunities. Your range immediately widens beyond your immediate locale. In fact, you can search for opportunities across the country or even on the other side of the world. But, as with all things located on the Internet, you should be wary. The Internet is also a prime place for scam artists to find unwitting victims.

As with all investing, it is important to avoid something that looks "too good to be true." Real estate investing is not about making "easy money." Whether you plan to invest by buying and then actually using the space for a few years before selling, or whether you plan to rent or lease the property out to somebody else, real estate investing can be a lucrative proposition. By doing thorough research before making a purchase, you can be sure that you are making the best possible use of your investment dollar.

Nicole Soltau is the President and Founder of CreditUnionRate.com.

The Leading Credit Union Directory. Search, Find, Join. http://CreditUnionRate.com