Buying real estate is about more than just finding a place to call home. Investing in real estate has become increasingly popular over the last 50 years and has become a common investment vehicle.
Although the real estate market has plenty of opportunities for making big gains, buying and owning real estate is a lot more complicated than investing in stocks and bonds.
More direct investments, like buying your own home, a rental property, or a property to fix up and flip, are also valuable strategies. However, it's best to do your homework before settling on one of these ownership methods, ensuring that you're financially secure enough to take on some risk and familiarizing yourself with the local real estate market.
"Don't demand that things happen as you wish, but wish that they happen as they do happen, and you will go on well."
- Epictetus, The Enchiridion
Real estate is property comprised of land and any structure(s) or natural resource on it, including water bodies and mineral deposits, as well as any flora or fauna.