The best long term wealth builder is NOT R.E.

R.E. has averaged gains around 4% per year.  Using the Rule of 72, it would take 18 years to double your money.  Also, you MUST consider carrying costs, taxes, repairs, utilities, etc (which are ignored in the above, as this is only the selling price).

If R.E. agents were legislated like actual financial advisors most would be in violation of basic tenets of providing sound/legal financial advice.