With the recent troubling economic times and the collapse of the housing market, many investors are reluctant to venture into property investments, but there have been significant profits made in the real estate market during these times, and there are even more opportunities for many different levels of investment today. Outside of the government incentives, low prices, and great interest rates on loans, there are also many opportunities from pre foreclosure homes to international investments that hold the potential for substantial profit.The housing market collapse has also forced many owners and investors to find new and inventive ways to hold on to the investments they have, and this has led to some very clever ways for investors and even average homeowners to save and profit in unstable times. Some of the more common options have included overseas property investments and leasing or lease-to-own options. The latter has come into its own as many individuals and families have cut back on financial commitments like large house payments, and this simultaneously allows owners to recoup at least some of their expenses.Property Investment Advantages Abound…Now really is one of the best times to purchase a wide range of properties from residential to commercial, and regardless of what level of investment you are committed to, there is an incentive to help manage the costs. Government tax breaks and buyer credits are just two of the many options that amount to thousands of dollars in savings, and when these incentives are combined with properties at or below market value, the result is some of the best deals ever seen in the real estate market.Foreclosure and pre foreclosure homes have also become quite a big business as the housing crunch left many banks holding hundreds of vacant properties that drop in value the longer they sit. In lieu of taking a total loss, these banks will opt for price drops and even resort to foreclosure auctions to move the property as quickly as possible.Other Real Estate Investment Options for the Modern InvestorQuite a few new trends have emerged as a result of the explosion of the global marketplace, and one of those that has long eluded the average individual is the overseas property investment. While certain economies, and also housing and property markets, are in a downturn, others may be booming or poised to grow rapidly. The average investor is now capable of searching, locating, and even purchasing certain properties around the world through the use of the modern Internet, and often without the need for third party property investment companies.Overseas investments have been traditionally difficult to hold from the standpoint of the average investor do the logistical and financial requirements needed just to maintain them from another part of the world. Today, for the same costs of flying to a physical location and surveying a property in person, one can purchase the property with full understanding of all of its aspects through online resources. The only real limitations to the modern property investor in today’s electronic world are the size of their budget and the time they have to devote to it.