Even if you had invested in a shoebox in 2010, today it would have been worth a fortune. Also, housing stock, you need to roll it, that is buy and sell in 2 to 4 years. So If you had bought a shoe box in 2010, I am pretty sure by now, you could be living in a comfortable house partly paid for.  It is not too late, look around, there are deals to be had, don't believe all the hype as well as doom and gloom, trust your instincts and go for it, if you fail, dust yourself off and be proud that you tried when others sat at home complaining .