Housing Crisis GOOD for Landlords?

Okay, I admit it. I am woefully ignorant when it comes to the "mortgage crisis," which is why I didn't comment when Candy posted about it last week. I have my house, I've been paying for it for years, and will continue to do so.

I do know enough about the market to know that I can't afford to move any time soon. We bought in the tail end of the housing boom in Austin in 2000. Now our home is worth less than we paid for it. This is thanks to both the housing slump and the urban sprawl that has grown up around our once semi-rural suburban neighborhood.

Landlords, on the other hand, seem to be doing pretty well. Check out the details at Reuters. It is a combination of being able to acquire new properties for reduced prices and an increased demand. Even those who lose their own home need a place to live, and many have to rent. With an increase in both supply and demand, it's a pretty good time to be a landlord.