If you have been following my blog, checked out the instructional videos on my website HERE, you will know by now that unless you win lotto or come into a massive inheritance, there is no other way to have a really comfortable retirement and pay your home off in full 
other than investment in property. Too often clients deep down KNOW that this is true, but horror stories of friends telling of trashy tenants, price drops can freeze a potential investor in his or her tracks.
While these things and more CAN happen, the bottom line is whatever short term losses you have (if any) will be made up for you by the tax man (refer to my bog post on that subject HERE) and dodgy tenants are so few and far between with a really astute property manager that the risk there is also reduced to a minimum. With market increases CONSISTENT over the last few decades, time will give you growth. Obviously sooner the better, but you will get it nevertheless, have a look at my section on property cycles HERE.
As long as your property choice is made with growth prospects, tax effectiveness and rental demand in mind, PLUS ensuring a small buffer is present within your cashflow to protect against anything unforeseen, investing in property should be a given, and must be undertaken as soon as you are financially capable. So look at fear for what it is, False Expectation Appearing Real, and jump in. Your first time will be a nervous experience, I have seen hundreds do it, and with my guidance cross over into the comfort zone quickly.