I would love to know the secret to doubling my investments every 5-7 years. I guess that's like playing the lottery...risk reward. I know my 401k is slow and steady, but not making me rich by any stretch of the imagination.
I will say, I live in Colorado and in the last 10 years property values have sky rocketed, to the point it's like California here. If you don't already own a home, you never will (except for people very well off) lower middle class and below are in a tight spot, left with renting crazy high costs ($1800 to $2500 easily.) I bought my house in 96 and it has increased 500k in that time, most of it in the last 10 years. So, depending on where you live and what your age/risk comfort you can afford, home investment maybe a must. I couldn't imagine retiring with a mortgage.