For the past decade, investors have been on a roller-coasterride that is almost unprecedented in the history of economiccycles. The same belief was held about the stock, bond andalternative investment markets. In the past few years, the ride hasgotten scarier. It no longer stops when people want to get off, andthere have been some accidents. The implicit faith in theconstruction of the system has waned and the ride is no longerthrilling, but terrifying to many investors.

Where are investors turning to regain their equanimity?Net-leased real estate fits the bill. These investments havelong-term leases backed by large corporations who reliably paytheir rent. When acquired on an all-cash basis, net leases offerreturns that are more than double similarly termed governmentbonds. They often provide returns higher than the lessee'scorporate paper and leases that call for set rent increases thatfurther boost investor returns.

Investing in Midwestern net-lease properties further advancesthe trend toward stability. With the exception of high-profilesites in the Chicago area, the Midwest has not seen the cap rateextremes reached in the Sunbelt and on both coasts. In addition toa secure income stream, investments in the Midwest have shown amore reliable value in the asset itself, with land costs and rentsthat are more affordable for corporations than in other areas.