No, they are investments. The prices of them fluctuate up and down and you are banking on a rate of return, otherwise you would rent. People always say "renting is throwing your money away", well buying is investing in real estate and like any investment, there are risks and rewards.
No they don't have to be. What I can sell my Blazer tickets for fluctuate up and down each season and even during the season and even per game . . . I don't consider my Blazer tickets an investment. Baseball cards, concert tickets, boats, coins ect . . . all fluctuate in price, they aren't all considered investments. Again, for me, it doesn't matter if the property goes up or down, I would rather own so I don't have to be at the mercy of my landlord. I wouldn't care if the property goes up or down, if I'm in an area for over 10 years, I would still choose to buy. I'm not saying many people don't consider it an investment, but many don't consider it a pure investment. I'm not knocking renting, it simplies life and you don't have to deal with home repairs. But there are a lot of things people own that go up and down in value, and they aren't bought just to make money.
exactly--the difference is the mindset, say, between people who flip their baseball cards and those that never even open the packs, but immediately store them away. Treating your home as an investment is a road to nowhere.
On a comforting note, this from our beloved leader: CINCINNATI - As Wall Street reeled and global markets plunged, President Bush on Monday said the U.S. economy is going to be "just fine" in the long run http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081006/ap_on_go_pr_wh/meltdown_bush
Yeah, he deserves some time off...Im glad he has his priorities straight...Where is an assassin when you need him (8 years ago) **Secret Service if you are reading this I am kidding**