My long term is to have $500,000 in real estate assets in 15 years and $500,000 in stocks and bonds in 15 years -that is another story.

Around 80% of Current housing stock is a solid wall construction, and if they were insulated around 50% of wasted energy can be saved.

However these days with the run ups being caused by people treating REI as the next (get rich quick/stock market/retirement fund/pick your investment) scheme, its starting to look like appreciation is truly no longer something we can rely on.

When we go antique shopping we avoid any "cool" area where everything is marked up and find house clearance specialists in random areas who tend to misprice their stock.

Has anyone on the forums had experience reducing the risk of a downturn in the home market, by buying a hedge on the stock/options market?

Unlike stocks where you are just at their mercy.Good luck!

@Zechariah Evans - I'm looking at ways to add rental property to my current investing portfolio (which is currently mostly in the stock market).

The cost of first-class postage stamps is set to rise by 3 cents—to 49 cents from the current 46 cents—on Jan. 26.You may want to stock up on "Forever" stamps for a little while.The good news is the increase is expected to be temporary.

Types of investments available to businesses, use of bond financing and stock as well as depository accounts.

Just like the stock market, you don't necessarily want to place all your investments in the same industry, so why place all your investments in the same market?