^^^^ The above is foolish Monday morning quarterbacking by a person who got harmed by the 2008 real estate crash.

Buying real estate is usually a good investment and sometimes it will even make you rich without a whole lot of risk.

The one exception involves buying after a quick run-up in prices, as you are vulnerable to a bubble situation as seen in 2008.

However, even those who bought in 2005-2008 are in okay shape now, as the market has recovered in a lot of places.

You do need deep enough pockets for maintenance and taxes, and if it's a house you're going to live in, you're not going to see the appreciation in real dollars for a long time, unless you take out another mortgage, which of course will eat up your profits somewhat via interest anyway.

Rental properties for income can be quite profitable, but it's a pain in the ass, and you need to know what you're doing.