OPINION OF PIPER & MARBURY LLP

EXHIBIT 5.2

[Piper & Marbury Letterhead]

February 10, 1998

America First Mortgage Investments, Inc.
1004 Farnam Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68102

REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as Maryland counsel to America First Mortgage Investments,
Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to a
Registration Statement on Form S-4 of the Company (the "Registration Statement")
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, of an aggregate of 8,971,506
shares (the "Shares") of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.
The Shares have been or may be issued by the Company in the event Unitholders
representing a majority of the outstanding Units in each of America First
Participating/Preferred Equity Mortgage Fund Limited Partnership, a Delaware
limited partnership ("Prep Fund 1"), America First Prep Fund 2 Limited
Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership ("Prep Fund 2"), and America First
Prep Fund 2 Pension Series Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership
("Pension Fund"), vote to approve the Merger (as hereinafter defined). The
Merger will be effected pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July
29, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), which contemplates (a) the merger of Prep
Fund 1 and Prep Fund 2 with and into the Company and (b) the merger of Pension
Fund with AF Merger, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which will survive
the Merger becoming a subsidiary of the Company (collectively, (a) and (b) shall
be referred to herein as the "Merger"). Capitalized terms used herein and not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Consent
Solicitation Statement/Prospectus of Prep Fund 1, Prep Fund 2, and Pension Fund
(the "CSS/P").

In our capacity as Maryland counsel to the Company, we have examined (i) the
Charter and By-Laws of the Company, (ii) minutes of proceedings of the Company
relating to its organization, authorizing the issuance of the Shares, and
authorizing (including authorizing the execution and delivery of) the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, (iii) the Registration
Statement, (iv) the CSS/P, (v) the Merger Agreement, (vi) a Certificate of
Secretary of the Company dated the date hereof (the "Certificate"), (vii) a good
standing certificate, dated a recent date, issued by the Maryland State
Department of Assessments and Taxation (the "Department"), and (viii) such other
documents as we have considered necessary. In such examination, we have assumed,
without independent investigation, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal
capacity of all individuals who have executed any of the aforesaid documents,
the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity
with originals of all documents submitted to us as copies (and the authenticity
of the originals of such copies), and that all public records reviewed are
accurate and complete. As to factual matters we have relied on the Certificate
and have not independently verified the matters stated therein.

Based upon the foregoing and having regard for such legal considerations as
we deem relevant, we are of the opinion and so advise you that upon the issuance
and delivery of the Shares in accordance with the terms set forth in the CSS/P
which forms part of the Registration Statement and the Merger Agreement, and
assuming the Articles of Merger relating to the Merger are filed with, and
accepted by, the Department, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid, and
non-assessable.

The opinion expressed herein is for the use of the Company in connection
with the Registration Statement. In addition, Rogers & Wells may rely on this
opinion to give their opinion to the Company in connection with the Registration
Statement. This opinion is limited to the matters set forth herein, and no other
opinion should be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated.
America First Mortgage Investments, Inc.
February 10, 1998
Page 2

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of the Company to be filed on the date hereof.

Very truly yours,
/s/ Piper & Marbury L.L.P.