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So what's your plan for 2010? Do you know what you will be doing with your property investments in a year's time? If not, maybe it's about time to plan for 12 month's time.

Buy-to-let investment isn't easy right now, and there is no sign of it letting up. House prices are still falling, according to the latest house price indexes, and mortgage availability is tightening every day of the week. Unemployment is also stalking the nation, meaning more tenants in the UK simply can't afford to keep up with rent.

This is why you need to be thinking of tomorrow, not just today. This means taking a root and branch approach to your finances and see exactly where you are now and where you want to be in a year's time. Most landlords are always eyeing up estate agents' windows, looking for their next investment – but will you be able to afford to take advantage of the housing downturn now, and in a year's time?

That's why you need to seek some professional buy-to-let advice. The market is a buyer's one certainly, but can you buy? How far could you safely stretch now, so as to be ahead of the pack in 2010? Or is it time to just batten down the hatches.

A professional will be able to go through your entire portfolio and help you realise your full potential. Maybe you are paying too much for your mortgages, maybe you could be making more yield on your rent. Maybe it's just a case of investing your profits elsewhere.

There are always ways and means of making more of your investments, even in a falling market. And remember, it won't be a falling market forever, soon prices will shoot back up and you want to be on that train. So stop dreaming and get some professional help to find out whether you can increase your foothold on the property market in 2009 and on into 2010.

To keep up with the latest News and comment on the UK buy to let market visit the Buy to Let Mortgage Blog