My wife and I are trying to take advantage of the buyers market too. We signed a deal on a 2 bedroom condo at the beach (Surfside SC) the other day. It is ground level and gutted to the studs so I will have to get it all refurbed on my own (hire out some and do some myself). Mom and dad bought one in the same complex last year and paid alot more, but there unit was already refurbed. Still once ours is refurbed we will come out about 35k - 40k cheaper than mom and dad due to how bad the market is this year as opposed to last.
My point is, if you can afford to invest in real estate right now is the time! We can't really afford it but we are doing it anyway!
Its a catch 22....I'll finally have the place at the beach but be too broke to buy gas for the boat. Then again, the deal could fall through as I'm headed down there this weekend to thoroughly inspect the place to see what I'm getting myself into.
Blue