For years, the continually rising real estate market in the state of California was the envy of the rest of the United States, if not the entire world. While a dose of reality was introduced in the mid-2000s and brought the market back down to earth, it still left plenty of opportunity for the practical investor using hard money.

Investing in real estate has long been a best kept secret of many of America's wealthiest families. As more people discover the benefits of owning property beyond a personal residence, they tap into the growth, tax shelter, and stability that real estate offers. Here are six things that investing in real estate can add to your portfolio.