When it happens, cash will be king.
In my opinion, cash and property, (in the right location) has always been king. We got out of the stock market before it started doing the chicken. I was never much of a gambler. And your right, investing in land, housing, property, is a whole lot safer. Here in Cal, if prices eventually do level out, or adjust downward, it's still a great investment. Just wait a couple of years, and they will be right up, worth more than ever.
This would be true in a free market. But right now the majority of liquidity for the housing market is provided by a Socialist Frankenstein with a capitalist's toolbox.
Why won't they let the shareholders see their books?