If you don't love it or just want some diversification, there are some compelling reasons to look into the Columbus, OH market depending on what your skillset is.

This includes a discussion of their overall risk management program -- Life, Disability, Long Term Care and Liability -- to make sure the plans are adequate and cost effective.b.Considers the overall investment portfolio to make sure investment selection and diversification are managed appropriately.c.Reviews the overall tax sensitivity of these investments.3.Plans the Distribution of Wealth during Life in the Most Advantageous Waya.Considers the IRA and qualified retirement plan distribution plan; not as an accountant, but using a tax expert as appropriate.b.Assesses who serves as their durable power of attorney or successor trustee of a revocable living trust in case of an incapacity - again using the appropriate advice from a CPA and legal counselors.c.Considers ways to distribute wealth to children and descendants for well-being, education and other purposes and doing so in the most tax-efficient method.d.Reviews charitable giving for both tax savings and control issues. 4.

Having said all of this, I have just recently purchased my first SFR in a Southern market for diversification purposes, but will, if all goes well, concentrate on that area for a while and not jump around.  

Vanguard has many good plans including the style of diversification that changes over time as you approach retirement. 

I wouldn't mind a single 4 plex and a few low maintenance condos for diversification but the point of the thread was to show how weak a single family home is or even a few properties when comparing it to the S&P 500.

Foreign currencies have merit, unless the issuing country is debasing its currency.Commodities look interesting as Asia continues growing.My local cash is short term and I still remember the high t-bill rates of many years ago.An adventurous soul might look for overseas opportunities and move to Singapore like financier Jim Rogers (co-founder with George Soros of the Quantum Fund).IMO, a very interesting diversification in RE would be farmland.

Diversification.

Mainly for geographic diversification.

Hi folks -- I'm thinking about jumping into RE as a wealth diversification strategy, and trying to understand how the returns would compare to other alternative assets in my portfolio (private equity, hedge funds, etc.).

Some good metrics to help filter out target markets can be; population growth, income growth, rent growth, job growth and job diversification.