This site offers an alternative to going it alone :

www.thepropertyinvestmentmarket.com

Basically you buy shares in a house, receive a dividend by way of the rental income the property generates, and you can sell your shares whenever you like.

The sites nothing to do with me I hasten to add, I just thought it was a good idea, and a good way of investing in the property game without having to break the bank (or do any hard work..!).