While growing up i was always told that the only sound investment is actually to invest in the housing market.
But these days you see so many companies advertising there products and packages to invest in.
So my question to you all is, How do we really know who to trust?
How do we know what is good to invest in and what isnt good to invest in?

Where do you think the best place to invest is? Recommendations would be appreciated.

Pink Lady:

There's no such thing as a sure thing. But it depends on how long you want to invest for. Do you want to save it for 1 year, 5 years, 30 years? Give us some idea and then we can give you our best suggestions.

As a generalism the housing market worldwide is overvalued by all accounts
http://www.platinax.co.uk/news/27-03...bubble-bigger/

To me housing still seems fairly solid, but it all depends on what knowledge and information you take on board but at the same time the current housing market is quite unstable I think. There are no safe bets

Actually, I'm not sure that the housing market is really unstable. In as much as it is not steadily rising, it hasn't really dropped at all.

From all reports that I have heard, the housing market didn't so much as burst as slow down considerably. Prices aren't really going to go down drastically there just going to stop rising so sharply.

I'm inclined to agree with you MsMcClain. This to me means that the housing market is still a good place to invest in unless you just want a quick return on your investment.

This is not what the housing market is really about

There are still cool and hot areas in both the UK and US markets. I'm not sure whether it's the right time to jump in for investment purposes, excepting for buying your own home rather than as a savings investment on another property.

I think it is smartest not to keep all of your eggs in one basket. So even if investment properties were the best, I would not put all of my money just into that. Spread out your investments into three or four different things.

I agree again to parrotbay. In whatever field, diversification of funds is always best.
With regards to housing market, there is no problem with it in our country. Housing, real estate and businesses of the same sort are always booming. Maybe coz our country is small and there are already many citizens living in it and also, since there are many commercial establishments, naturally, housing near those places would be very saleable.

I think it's important to get a referral from a friend that you really trust. Because people love to take your money and if you are desperate, trust me, they will. Just be smart, be savvy, and make the safe choices to start.

I dont think there is a best time to invest and it depends on your goals that you want and all.

The housing prices where I live have become bloated. There is also a contractor shortage, a bad one. A commercial real estate agent told me that it used to be better to invest in a house, except now that contractors are in high demand, their prices have gone through the roof so it is therefore, cheaper to rent.

I agree with you Belson that there is no such thing as a sure thing...I think the most important thing an investor can do is to keep track of trends..and always exercise your foresight!

I would place your liquid assets into actively managed mutual funds. Look for funds from well-respected firms with low expense ratios.