.- When you own the property, it doesn't lose all of its value like a stock investment in a company can- It is an inflation hedge (my understanding is that the only main general investments in the Great Depression that held their value beginning to end, were gold, real estate and TBonds).- You build equity (paying off mortgages), - It is a better leveraged investment than things like commodities trading.- As others said, I believe most average people's wealth came through real estate (and perhaps their own business, which this is also)

Usually these historic trends over the past few years will lead you to areas of higher demand and rising prices as well as a stable market on a micro scale.

I'm buying at $110,000, similar rehabbed properties are selling at $250 - $340,000 and rising quickly.As for the staircase, I know a local company that will come in, measure, build and install.

If housing prices are expected to appreciate at a rate higher than inflation over the next 3 - 5 years, it may make sense to rent it out for a few years to capitalize on the appreciation.

Concentration is where it starts to build up enough to rise above the ground.

If rents rise, that cuts in to the credit allowed.

Gold is a defensive strategy to hedge the inflation while real estate is an offensive strategy with completely different rewards, risks and liabilities.

I wanted a longer term, but banks didn't want to go any longer without a steep rise in rates or larger down payment.

There is little inventory and demand is rising.

You also have to be careful on the different mail address approach as there are areas without home delivery of mail where P.O. boxes are used instead.Most absentee and non-owner list providers combine both approaches which inflates their lists and makes them worthless in some markets (like vacation areas).