* Different investment fads may come and go, but only one form of investment always goes up in value over the long term. That form of investment is real estate.

* While buy-and-hold techniques in the stock market CAN increase in value, it exposes investors to risk. A stock investor may have a portion of his money in a company that has been illegally inflating their income or assets (like Enron). Or they may have their money sunk into a company that isn't prepared for any change in technology or tastes. Such a company will surely go out of business, leaving investors holding onto worthless pieces of paper. How many typewriter ribbons have you bought lately?

* More people are being born every day. More people are immigrating from overseas. People need places to live. Unless we get hit with a worldwide economic depression, most people will have the money needed to rent or buy a place to live. Therefore, demand will always be increasing. Prices always go up when demand increases.

* There is only so much land available to be developed. In the future, much of the undeveloped land will be protected and preserved to help combat expected pollution and environmental challenges. Less land available to build on will mean higher prices in the future.

Investing in real estate doesn't have to be difficult. Owning your own home is a great way to start. Get your finances in shape and buy a home instead of renting. The value of your house will almost certainly go up as the years pass. When it's time to sell, you'll end up with more money than you paid for the house.

If you already own your own home, and your finances are sound, there are a number of different ways in which to invest in real estate available to you. Buy a foreclosed property, or a property about to be foreclosed. Buy a distressed property and "flip" it. Find a distressed owner (one who is being forced to sell), and buy the property from them with no money down. Then rent the house out and pocket the profits.

As in everything, there is always some element of risk. The same applies to investing in real estate. Growth in real estate investing is almost always long term. You need to make sure that you can withstand some short-term "pain" in order to earn that long-term gain.

Learn everything you can before you try and "do your first deal". Plan carefully, get advice from professionals and experts, and you should end up becoming a successful real estate investor. Good luck!