Some interesting figures given on the Motley Fool show that the FTSE All-Share Index easily out-performed property in 2005. Shares in that index rose by 22% last year, whilst house prices rise by just 3%.
It also rolls out the old figures which show that since the 1920s, shares have consistently performed better than property:
If your grandparents had invested £100 in (commercial) property in 1920, it would now be worth £170,000. If they had put £100 into the stock market, you would now have £1.2m.
However, since 1993, property has been the better bet, and tends to be more stable.