Home ownership in America is going through many ups-and-downs. Since the 1960's, average rates of home ownership have fluctuated between 63% and 67%. Regionally, the highest homeownership rates are in the Midwest (71.3%) and in the South (69.1%) and lowest in the West (62.3%) and the Northeast (63.9%).

While home ownership is not for everyone, for many it is one of the first steps towards increasing net worth. I purchased my first home in my mid-30s -- that along with having my first child and starting a business were my top three stressful yet rewarding experiences.

If you are looking to invest in real estate, there are many ways for you to do so.

• Start small by purchasing shares of an REIT, or getting partial or full ownership in a condo or time-share.
• You could buy a single family residence where you intend to live as your primary dwelling.
• You might purchase a multi-family residence and rent out the other unit/s.
• Become a "flipper" who gets run-down properties, fixes them up, and sells for a profit.

From there you might move on to buying raw land, becoming a landlord of rental-income property, or purchasing commercial property, 

Regardless of your situation, as a buyer or as a seller, I recommend you work with an established real estate professional who knows the current market and can alert you to special deals. The http://www.AskAgents.com site is a good way to connect with local real estate professionals who are experts in their particular area.

Location, location, location. Even within the same zip code there may be desireable streets and others that are not-so-great. Your real estate agent focuses on a specific location and can alert you to homes for sale in that particular area, or they can help you decide the best local neighborhoods for your investment efforts.

If you're a real estate investor, please post your knowledge and share in the real estate communities on the web.

We all benefit from your knowledge!