More educated populace or irrational exuberance?

[Heather H.]

I just found out that two people from my high school graduating class are both entering REI - one renovating a property to rent out, and one doing their first flip. Neither of these people have any background in real estate (as far as I'm aware). We're in our early-mid 30's.

Obviously these are just two cases, but they seem representative of an increasing interest in interest in real estate in society more generally. I can't decide whether this is an indication of a positive trend of more people understanding the value of real estate investing, whether we're just getting to an age where a lot of people are starting to consider retirement planning, or if it is an indication of the "every man and his dog" mentality and a sign of irrational exuberance?

What do you all think? Does this remind anyone of 2006?

My husband and I started investing in 2011. We want to keep buying but I'm getting a bit concerned about the state of the market...