About 36% of surveyed Americans ranked real estate as the top long-term investment above stocks or mutual funds , gold , and savings accounts or certificates of deposits , according to a recent study by Gallup, a global analytics and advisory firm.
"No one gets super emotional about stocks," she said. "But individuals definitely get emotional about real estate.""Instead of giving them a portfolio of stocks, I want to give them a house that is physical and they can use," Francis said as an example. Once you buy a property and turn it into an investment, you have to manage the property, properly insure it, and be able to service it.
You can also invest in different kinds of real estate properties, like shopping malls, warehouses and office buildings. However, if you invest in a region or sector that experiences devaluations, that price decline will be reflected in your portfolio.