Investors often look to global real estate markets as a complementary strategy in their overall investment approach. Real estate markets tend to thrive in concentrated, trendy areas in times of economic success. However, real estate investment offers a potential profit even in recessions if an investor can correctly identify opportunities. Investors can engage in speculative real estate investment on a micro scale or turn to larger indexes and other vehicles tied to real estate. Countless commercial and residential properties exist in the world today, giving interested investors a wide range of choices.