Virtual real estate ... in particular
domain names.
25%+ annual valuation growth is typical - check out
http://www.dnjournal.com/domainsales.htm for reported sales this past week (ie. pizza.com recently sold for $2.6 million); most aren't reported so actual number of sales is likely 100X greater - lots of money in the domain name business.
Additional benefits of domain names:
1. Very little money needed to get into domain investing
2. No property taxes, no transfer taxes, etc; easy to buy and sell with no hassles.
3. Domains are basically maintenance free; just pay the nominal renewal fee (around $10 or so) each year (or upto 10 years in advance; best value).
4. Easy to develop domains - use for most anything; no zoning hassles, etc to deal with.
5. The internet is where the action is, and consequently more and more people and businesses are realizing the value of quality domain names, and are increasingly willing to pay top dollar to get them.
Domain names is an investment to definitely consider - lots of money to still be made!
Ron