In today's changing economy, the definition of smart investment choices is changing. According to one recent news story, the expected annual yields for investors in the stock market is significantly lower than it has been over the last century. Rather than returns close to 10 percent, investors can expect closer to an average of five percent yields in the foreseeable future. 

The jury is out about whether the housing market recovery (or lack thereof, depending on your perspective) will have any impact on this year's presidential election. According to a recent CNN Money article, the housing market is showing some significant gains in swing states such as Florida and Nevada, which could certainly play a role in electoral results.

Real estate is being added to the investment portfolios of Americans and more are looking for real estate to provide a passive income stream in their retirement years.  

Real estate investing sometimes gets a bad rap from investment advisers.  They often prefer REIT's and other supposed easier forms of investing in real estate because it's easy for them to track and control their clients portfolios.  I don't begrudge them for that attitude, I just think it short changes an investor and eliminates a very powerful source of income when investors will need it most...retirement.