As financial markets waver and mortgage rates continue to hover at historic lows, investing in real estate makes more sense than ever–primarily because real estate follows its own cycle, independent of stocks and bonds. But for those with little real estate investment experience, entering into this arena can be intimidating as well as costly. Filled with expert insight that only SmartMoney could provide, The SmartMoney Guide to Real Estate Investing by Gerri Willis has been written to help you gain a firm understanding of the potentials and pitfalls of real estate investing.