[Doubl]

Also it's one of the few investments where you can borrow to invest and this get a multiplier effect on any returns

[onlyrealcuzzo]

Anyone can get leverage in Forex.

Housing, though, is the only place where you can get leverage with literally 0% down.

Real Estate is also MUCH less volatile than the stock market, which (I think) makes it seem less risky (and maybe factually is, but I don't know for sure).

[test6554]

What about maintenance though?

[fjsolwmv]

Banks give out loans with 0% down.

[jlokier]

That's where "leverage" comes in.

Typically if you don't have a house, you can't get a big bank loan either.

[fjsolwmv]

You are conflating investment with collateral. Any property you own can be collateral for a loan whose proceeds you can invest.