Real Estate:
High to exorbitant ASKING prices are still prevalent, sometimes even higher than a couple of years ago. The explanation, IF any... "they" haven't sold anything in... well, sometimes YEARS... so they'd need more money, Ha! Really, you get that some times, no joke!
As Robert stated, the reality of executed business TRANSACTIONS is far different. But you have to WORK it, NEGOTIATE HARD. And to do that effectively, you HAVE to KNOW the market... in depth, and you possibly can't from distance (internet) or the short but superficial immersion of a vacation here.
There are MANY threads about that very subject on the REAL ESTATE section of this Forum which ought to help you form your own opinion.
"Agents" will ALWAYS tell you that "NOW" is the time to BUY... they told the exact contrary to property owners in order to get listings. That's what they DO. That's what they always do and will do... or what?
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Investment Firms:
As far as "Investment Firms"... I might only suggest you keep in mind that these are ALL unregulated limited liability protected businesses. There is NO state or government supervision, no regulations, no backup or insurance whatsoever to the "investors".
On the other hand, some of these "firms" have been around for a long time, and they can't afford to breed a selection of unhappy clients... but in theory, they could fold any one day without a warning, declare themselves "bankrupted", their owners "disappear" (with the money, of course) or just comfortably hide behind the veil of "LLC". Additionally, if you are not a national or legal resident, your rights or facilities to SUE are extremely limited/made difficult (EXPENSIVE).
I had that happen ONCE, and brace yourself, in a legally secure country like Switzerland! That company was even ISO certified! The money is gone with the wind.
I personally prefer to invest in trust deed investments DIRECTLY (deed in MY or my company's name!) in markets (countries) I KNOW, with laws which are more favorable to me... and still make about the same returns they promise here (sometimes even more) and not be at the mercy of a "company" holding my assets in IT'S name(s). There are companies which help do (broker) that, but the investments and deeds are in ones name.
... J-D.