Every year, Gallup asks Americans the same question: what's the best long-term investment? And for the 12th year running, the answer hasn't changed.
According to Gallup's 2025 survey, 37% of U.S. adults say real estate is the best long-term investment — well ahead of gold (23%), stocks or mutual funds (16%), savings accounts and CDs (13%), bonds (5%), and cryptocurrency (4%). Real estate has topped this list every year since 2014, and it essentially tied for first back in 2013 — meaning it's been the country's go-to answer for well over a decade.
That kind of consistency is rare. Stock sentiment has swung noticeably in just the past two years, and gold's popularity tends to rise and fall with market anxiety. Real estate, meanwhile, just keeps winning — through rate hikes, market corrections, and every economic headline in between.
Why People Keep Choosing Real Estate
It's not just nostalgia or habit. Real estate offers a few things other investments simply don't:
It's a tangible asset. You can see it, live in it, rent it out, or improve it. That physical presence gives people a sense of security that a stock ticker never will.
It's leverage. Few other investments let you control an appreciating asset with a fraction of its value down, then build equity as you pay down the loan and the property appreciates.
It's forced savings. Every mortgage payment is a small, steady contribution toward ownership. Unlike a savings account you might dip into, a mortgage payment builds equity almost automatically, whether you're thinking about it or not.
It's equity you can actually use. That equity can become a down payment on the next home, a source of funds for a renovation, or a safety net in retirement — all while you've had a place to live the whole time.
What This Means If You're Thinking About Buying
If you've been on the fence about buying a home or an investment property, this data is a reminder that you're not chasing a trend — you're following what has consistently outperformed other options in the eyes of everyday Americans, year after year, regardless of what's happening in the broader economy.
That doesn't mean every purchase is a slam dunk. Location, timing, and terms still matter enormously, and the right move for one buyer isn't automatically right for another. But the long-term case for real estate isn't hype — it's a pattern that's held for over a decade, through very different economic conditions.
Let's Talk About Your Next Move
Whether you're buying your first home, upgrading, or exploring an investment property, I'd love to help you figure out what makes sense for your situation. Reach out anytime — I'm happy to walk through your options and answer questions, no pressure.
Source: Gallup, "Stocks Fall, Gold Rises; Real Estate Still Best Investment," May 2025
