Real estate is a concept that’s as old as the idea of private property itself. The idea of owning land might have seemed foreign once, but since then it’s become a bedrock of the modern economy: the ability to own and develop land in the hope of getting a return on your investment.

And Real Estate IRAs may be just the vehicle to get you from someone with no land and few retirement plans to someone who knows where they’re heading in their retirement future.

But since real estate has been around so long, we thought it would be worth noting what some of the world’s top minds have had to say about real estate over the years—and see if we could gleam a lesson or two from their wisdom in the process:

Real Estate IRAs: Is Real Estate a Timeless Investment?

“It’s tangible, it’s solid, it’s beautiful. It’s artistic, from my standpoint, and I just love real estate.” –Donald Trump.

How do we know Donald Trump really said this? Well, he actually quoted himself as saying it on Twitter. And however you may feel about his political leanings—good or bad—it’s important to point out that Donald Trump is certainly one of the world’s most recognizable sages of real estate. To him, real estate is a “tangible” asset—which is what many people who invest in real estate or precious metals say they love about alternative ideas like Real Estate IRAs. The ability to invest in something real rather than a ticker in the stock market can feel more secure—and for retirement, feeling secure is always good news.

Real Estate Might Be More Stable Than You Think

“A funny thing happens in real estate. When it comes back, it comes back up like gangbusters.” –Barbara Corcoran

You might remember Ms. Corcoran from the TV show “Shark Tank,” in which she basically makes a living off of investing. She initially made her wealth in real estate, however, which is why we regard her as an expert here. And what does she have to say: real estate might not always be “stable,” but that doesn’t mean it always loses its value, either. When real estate “comes back,” you know it.

The 2008 financial crisis shook the confidence of a lot of real estate investors, but this quote is important to keep in mind when you live in a time in which cheap real estate is readily available. It doesn’t necessarily go up, but real estate presents a great opportunity for growth for anyone who’s willing to look around and do their homework.

Real Estate Might Make You a Better Investor

“In the real estate business, you learn more about community issues, you learn more about life, you learn more about the impact of government, probably than any other profession that I know of.” –Johnny Isakson

The Senator from Georgia is onto something here: real estate is one of those businesses in which you truly get to know a place. By understanding real estate, you understand a microcosm of business; investing in Real Estate IRAs means that you have to work with property managers, you have to know where to look for tenants, and you have to plan for the future. It really is an interesting way to learn what it means to be an investor.

If you want to learn more about Real Estate IRAs, be sure to call us at 1-866-7500-IRA(472) or continue to read here at AmericanIRA.com and find out all about Self-Directed IRAs and what they can do for your retirement planning.