Per Investopedia.com, opportunity cost is the term used to calculate the difference in return between a chosen investment and one that is necessarily passed up. To say it differently, you gave up the opportunity of another investment to put your money in an alternative investment and there is a cost associated with making that decision. In other words, it helps you measure a trade-off.

When it comes to real estate investing, South Africa is at the top of the rest of the African continent in offering prime real estate for investment purposes. Gerhard Enslin was born in Namibia and lived most of his life in South Africa. Not only has he built many houses for himself, but he has successfully carried out many smaller renovation projects.

At present, Mr. Gerhard Enslin is one of the principal agents and owners of Realty Lifestyle. He is very experienced and knowledgeable about the real estate market in South Africa (and he's one of my Facebook pals). When asked about real estate investing in South Africa from an American's perspective, he responded: