Investors eye rewards where risks are higher

The finding comes from the 2007 International Property Rights Index published by the Property Rights Alliance. Covering intellectual as well as physical property rights and the legal and political environment, the index is based on opinion surveys within 69 countries.

Norway is the country with the best perceived overall property protection in place, Bangladesh that with the worst.

Norway is also ranked first on physical property rights, with Bangladesh again last. The top five countries for physical property rights are: Norway; Sweden; Netherlands; UK; and Finland. The bottom ranked are: Egypt; Bolivia; Poland; Nicaragua; and Bangladesh.

By region, western Europe gets top ranking for physical property rights, followed by north America, Asia/Oceanis, the Middle East and north Africa, Latin America and the former Soviet Union states, and finally Africa.

Valuation among key factors in real estate investing

Real estate, in general, has traditionally remained a safe haven for investment dollars, and the southwest Missouri market is no exception. All classifications, from income-producing to residential properties, have seen steady appreciation throughout the past two decades.

For individuals who are contemplating investing in real estate, and

specifically investing in income-producing real estate, there are several important steps to consider.

The first step is to enlist help. Contact a real estate professional who specializes in the sale of income-producing properties.

The multiple categories of real estate make it difficult for a real estate professional to claim proficiency in all categories. By selecting a real estate professional who adheres to the Realtors Code of Ethics and specializes in a specific real estate category, a prudent real estate investor should be assured of a knowledgeable adviser.