"Why invest in real estate when stocks are better?"

I can't say how many times people have told me this once I tell them I work in real estate. I've done my research and I think I have a pretty good comeback especially when they throw articles from CNN like this at me:

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/real_estate/0704/gallery.stocks_v_realestate.moneymag/index.html

Just wanted to see if anyone had a good answer they wanted to share! :D