The recent economic uncertainty sparked by the meltdown of the US sub-prime mortgage market has created a rare set of financial conditions in North America. Much of the developed world (and even more so in some developing nations) has enjoyed one of the longest periods of sustained economic growth. While this has led to an ever-growing gap between rich and poor, the total number of relatively wealthy people has also risen.

Such changes in financial status have put many Americans in a position of affluence, with the freedom to wisely use their wealth to wield greater influence over their future. Some of them choose to pursue a careful acquisition of residential investment property.

The so-called "credit crisis" has sparked some fears of a coming recession within the US. Naturally, no economy wants a recession. The major corporations, government, financial institutions, and private investment consortiums are doing their best to prevent an economic slow down. These entities, of course, are engaged in protecting their own interests though they are working to prevent a fiscal slump.

Most economists are agreeing that a recession is still possible, though not immediately likely. Instead, you will probably see a slowing of the rate of growth as markets compensate for what has been billed a recalibration, rather than the sort of economic collapse that usually precedes recessions.

For Americans fully invested in paying off their first mortgage, this is an uncomfortable position to be in, but not desperate. You are, however, much safer if you've managed to capitalize on the decade of relative prosperity, and you're in a position to start thinking about purchasing residential investment property.

First, banks and other lenders can reasonably see you as a safe risk when considering an investment property loan. Such positive consideration plays a part in ensuring your access to credit at favorable rates. Because credit has, to some extent, dried up for riskier loans, the housing market has stalled, and there are some fears that it may even collapse, leading to plummeting prices in some areas. This is a bleak scenario, but like recession, not very likely according to many analysts.

Those who have failed to invest, or are themselves busy paying off their first house, can be forgiven if they don't look favorably on the stalling market. Many buyers see a family home as one of the biggest investments they can make.

If you're a savvy investor and can secure credit on favorable terms, however, current conditions present a rare opportunity. By applying the oldest rule of investment, "Buy low, sell high", you can take advantage of your economically sound position and capitalize on the sluggish housing market. Applying investment property loans to new residential investment property drastically increases the value of your venture.

This could expose you to some risk in the unlikely event that the markets take a turn for the worse, and inflation and interest rates climb, while the housing market collapses. If you already own your own home, however, your additional residential investment property should serve as the collateral on new loans, to ensure that you do not extend yourself beyond your means.

This can be a tricky balance, especially if the cost of failure is your hard-earned family home, so novice investors would be well-advised to heed the advice of finance professionals.