Colleges and universities across the country are snapping up properties fast as real estate prices continue to decline in recent months.

The universities of Dayton and Delaware are among the institutions of higher learning that are taking advantage of the sluggish real estate market. According to reports, the Ohio-based University of Dayton recently bought the 115-acre world headquarters of NCR Corp. for $18 million. It was said to be the third time that the school bought property from the technology company. The University of Delaware, on the other hand, has acquired a 272-acre auto plant from automaker Chrysler for $24 million.

School officials said the real estate investments will be used to promote future growth. Other universities, meanwhile, are reportedly renting out properties while they are still not being used.

Dan Fasulo, managing director of the real estate research firm Real Capital Analytics, said many universities are going on a real estate shopping spree because it is easier to buy affordable land than before.  In addition, it is also reportedly much cheaper to purchase land with existing buildings now than to build structures later on.

While certain experts acknowledge the move of universities to facilitate growth and expansion, they warned that investing in real estate can be quite risky. “People who just lost their shirts in the last real estate crash know the risk of real estate as an investment portfolio. Colleges are banking that now is the low point in real estate, and it may not be,” academic research analyst Jane Wellman said.

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