A balanced real estate portfolio can provide a buffer against market fluctuations, diversify your income streams, and optimize your return on investment. The process of achieving this balance involves a combination of research, planning, and strategy.

Here's how to go about it:

1. Define Your Goals: Start by understanding why you're investing. Are you seeking short-term cash flow, long-term capital appreciation, or a mix of both? Your goals will influence the types of properties you should target.

2. Understand Diversification: Much like stocks, diversifying your real estate investments can help mitigate risks. Think about variety in terms of property types (residential, commercial, industrial) and locations (urban, suburban, rural).

3. Research Emerging Markets: Keep an eye on areas that are projected to grow in terms of job opportunities, infrastructure developments, and population. Investing in emerging markets can offer attractive returns as these areas mature.

4. Know the Local Landscape: Each real estate market has its own nuances. Factors such as school quality, public transportation, and local amenities can drastically affect property values and rental potential. Immerse yourself in the local community, attend neighborhood meetings, or even chat with residents.

5. Don't Overlook Turnkey Investments: Turnkey properties are essentially "move-in ready", meaning they require little to no work before renting out. They can provide immediate cash flow and can be a stable addition to a portfolio that also contains properties requiring more hands-on management.

6. Balance Risk with Potential Returns: High-risk properties might promise high returns, but they can also lead to significant losses. Consider properties that may not yield the highest returns but provide consistent income and more security.

7. Leverage Expertise: Collaborate with real estate agents, property managers, and even other investors. Their insights can guide you in pinpointing properties that align with your strategic objectives.

8. Look Beyond Your Borders: Depending on your local market conditions, sometimes it can be more lucrative to invest out-of-state or even internationally. This requires thorough research and potentially partnering with experts in those areas but can lead to a more balanced portfolio.

9. Periodically Review and Adjust: The real estate market is dynamic. What made a good investment five years ago might not hold true today. Regularly assess your portfolio's performance and adjust as necessary.

10. Keep Financial Prudence: It's tempting to jump on every good deal, but always ensure you have enough liquidity. The real estate market can be unpredictable, and you don't want to be in a position where you're forced to sell a property at a loss.

11. Think Long-Term: Real estate, in most cases, is a long-term game. Look for properties that will stand the test of time, both in terms of construction quality and enduring market demand.

In conclusion, building a balanced real estate portfolio is both an art and a science. It involves careful planning, a deep understanding of the market, and sometimes, a bit of intuition. But with a strategic approach, you can craft a diverse portfolio that provides both stability and robust returns.