Yes, this has been an era of financial hardship for many. But the economy appears to be finally rebounding. The silver lining for prospective entrepreneurs is that interest rates and property prices are low, as are many purchasing costs due to stocking issues, close-out sales, and closed businesses selling off inventory or equipment. If you’re uneasy about the idea of taking advantage of someone else’s hardship, remember that you are helping other business owners out when you buy what they need to get rid of.