As a real estate investor it’s really important to know the facts.  It’s one thing to hear from someone who says “I hear this is where you can get the best deals” but it’s another to see where you can get the best deals. Investing is about the numbers and how markets are performing.  The Heat Map above shows you exactly the appreciation in each state in Qtr3 of 2009 vs. the same Qtr. in 2008.  It’s interesting to see that Nebraska has appreciated the best of all the states.  I would have never realized this unless I noticed this map.  In the Midwest you will notice more of  a “flatline” effect, less peaks and valleys which means you won’t see appreciation fluctuation as much as states in the West for example.  Above you can see that the states in the light blue have actually had positive appreciation compared to others.  So when you hear of someone saying “This is the state that has had a ton of appreciation” you can look here and see for yourself.