Real estate investing refers to the process of buying, owning, managing, and selling real estate properties for the purpose of generating income or capital appreciation. Real estate can include residential properties such as single-family homes, multi-family homes, and apartments, as well as commercial properties such as office buildings, retail spaces, and industrial buildings.

There are several different strategies that investors can use when it comes to real estate investing. Some common strategies include:

1. Buy and hold: This involves purchasing a property and holding onto it for a long period of time in order to generate passive income through rent or to benefit from capital appreciation.
2. Fix and flip: This involves purchasing a property that needs renovations, completing the renovations, and then selling the property for a profit.
3. Wholesaling: This involves finding a property that is being sold at a discounted price, and then finding a buyer who is willing to pay a higher price for the property. The investor then earns the difference between the two prices as profit.
4. Rent-to-own: This involves entering into a contract with a tenant where the tenant agrees to rent the property for a certain period of time, with the option to purchase the property at a later date.

Real estate investing can be a lucrative and rewarding venture, but it is not without its risks. Some of the risks that investors should be aware of include:

1. Market risk: The value of real estate can be affected by changes in the market, such as changes in interest rates or the economy.
2. Tenant risk: If a property is being rented out, there is always the risk that the tenant may not pay rent or may damage the property.
3. Repair and maintenance costs: As a property owner, you will be responsible for any necessary repairs or maintenance, which can be costly.
4. Leverage risk: If you use leverage, such as a mortgage, to purchase a property, you may be at risk of losing the property if you are unable to make your payments.

In order to be successful in real estate investing, it is important to do your research and due diligence, have a solid investment plan, and be prepared to handle any challenges that may arise. It may also be helpful to work with a real estate professional or financial advisor to help you navigate the process.

Some common ways people make money:

1. Renting properties: This involves purchasing a property and then renting it out to tenants. The income generated from the rent can be used to cover the mortgage and other expenses associated with owning the property, and any excess can be collected as profit.
2. Flipping properties: This involves buying a property, renovating it, and then selling it for a profit. This can be a lucrative strategy, but it requires a significant amount of time and resources to find and fix up the property.
3. Wholesaling properties: This involves finding a property that is being sold at a discounted price, and then finding a buyer who is willing to pay a higher price for the property. The investor then earns the difference between the two prices as profit.
4. Rent-to-own properties: This involves entering into a contract with a tenant where the tenant agrees to rent the property for a certain period of time, with the option to purchase the property at a later date.
5. Selling property management services: Some investors choose to specialize in managing properties for other owners. They may charge a percentage of the rent collected or a flat fee for their services.
6. Developing properties: This involves purchasing land and building new structures, such as houses or apartment buildings, which can then be sold or rented out.
7. Investing in real estate investment trusts (REITs): REITs are companies that own and operate income-generating real estate properties, and they offer investors the opportunity to own a piece of the company and receive a share of the income generated by the properties.

Real estate investing can be a lucrative way to generate income and build wealth, but it is important to do your research and understand the risks involved before getting started. That said, buy and hold produces slightly better than historical inflation averages and should not be considered an investment as such.

It is difficult to provide an accurate average annual increase in property values over the last 40 years, as it can vary significantly depending on a number of factors such as location, type of property, and economic conditions. However, the value of real estate tends to increase over time due to factors such as population growth, economic growth, and inflation. However, the rate of increase can vary widely, and there have been periods where property values have declined.

In the United States, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) publishes data on the median sales price of existing homes. According to NAR data, the median sales price of existing homes in the United States increased from around $42,000 in 1981 to around $310,000 in 2021, representing an average annual increase of about 4.4%. However, it is important to note that this is just one measure of property values, and the actual increase in values can vary depending on a number of factors.

It is also worth noting that the rate of increase in property values can vary significantly depending on the location. Some areas may experience faster appreciation than others due to factors such as demand, supply, and local economic conditions.

By contrast, the S&P 500 is a stock market index that tracks the performance of 500 large-cap publicly traded companies in the United States. The index is widely used as a benchmark for the overall performance of the stock market.

According to data from the S&P Dow Jones Indices, the average annual return of the S&P 500 from 1981 to 2021 was approximately 9.8%. This means that if you invested $100 in the S&P 500 in 1981 and held onto your investment until 2021, it would be worth approximately $6,400, assuming a 9.8% average annual return. So, if you invested $42,000 instead of buying that house back in 1981, you’d have $2.68 million.