Commercial real estate has been unfairly beaten down and as a contrarian, that's a perfect time to buy. At some point (though we don't know exactly when), empty buildings and spaces will be filled with new businesses, and you want to be buying now so you can be a seller once prices head higher.

This is the difficult part of being a contrarian. It is hard to make the switch from being bearish to bullish when everyone around you is still bearish. You can wait and start buying once the recovery is definitely here, but you'll miss some of the most profitable opportunities.

Instead of hiding from the market in cash and savings accounts yielding 1% to 2%, spend some time researching Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). Because of their unique tax status, they are required to distribute earnings to shareholders, often paying fat dividends. And with the recent correction, many of these firms' share prices are trading below the value of the real estate they own.

Recommends any?

Till now never really research into the REITS.

WOnder if there is comparison between the REITS offered locally?

mcquarie? mcarthurcook?