An interesting observation to me is that the future performance of the real estate portfolio is likely more predictable than the equities (funds) portfolio.  

I can't answer the question for the stock market or for the housing market.

Mutual funds stocks etc.  

I'm just looking for stock market alternatives for a self-directed IRA.  

Welcome to biggerpockets Decent times to invest since the stock markets are going downward.( mixture stocks, real estate, and other investments )

But much bigger worries abound about coming decades, about the rest of our lives and of our children's lives.It may seem paradoxical to some, but these increasing long-term fears may boost prices of stocks, bonds, and real estate to high levels while at the same time making the economic recovery anemic."

Some of these people are obvious (doctors, lawyers, business owners) others are not, (someone who is nearing retirement and has a self directed IRA with a lot of money in it and doesn't want to go into a CD or stay in the stock market). 

Not exactly the best areas or the best housing stock.

I absolutely love the stock market and I hold an MBA in financial planning, but I have always had an interest in real estate investing.

I make a pretty good living nowadays and have a lot of time which I have been using for the past year studying everything from cyber security, stock, option, and futures trading, and real estate.