Not living in US, but yeah Real Estate is a good way to invest money. But you need to know where to invest it, not like buy some sheds in places where nothing happens. I guess the market in U.S. is a lot better, a lot of imigrants and people who want good properties. I'd buy there cheap flats in good areas, renovate and put them up for rent, that way you'd get cash every month coming in. Plus you can buy cheap houses in good areas, renovate them and then sell them further. In Latvia currently it's good to sell Real Estate to Russian businesmen who need visa.