The economic slowdown and depressed real estate values in many markets have created investment opportunities for perceptive investors with deep pockets. Individual investors with cash on hand buying foreclosed homes at bargain prices have boosted home sales figures over the last several months, and there are indicators that a similar trend is underway in the commercial real estate market. A recent CNN.com article about commercial real estate investing claims that some real estate investment trusts (REITs) are raising capital to buy distressed commercial properties while their value is low and hoping to cash in later when the economy rebounds. REITs allow investors to invest in real estate without having to deal with getting approved for financing or the administrative hassles of taking possession of a piece of property. In addition, according to New York real estate research firm, Real Capital Analytics, now is a good time to invest in commercial real estate as the firm estimates that there is around $90 billion in “distressed’ commercial real estate on the market. The firm describes distressed commercial real estate as property in foreclosure or property that is owned by someone who is either in default or has declared bankruptcy. Real Capital editorial director, Peter Slatin, claims that conditions will be favorable for commercial real estate investors for several years in addition to the current investment opportunities. “On top of those properties, there are hundreds of billions more in debt coming due in the next few years,” said Slatin. “Some REITs are getting prepared for that.” Savvy commercial real estate investors around the country are watching the commercial real estate market very closely, and many are buying distressed properties specifically for the purpose of selling them to REITs. These conditions may present a unique investment opportunity for those with cash or access to lines of credit.