Where to invest money from home sale?

[DrShort]

I've recently entered into contract to sell my Seattle home (one day on the market, than you very much). I'll have about $220,000 to invest and I plan on buying something in 6 - 20 months. Because of that, I don't want to be too risky, but I'm seeing risk everywhere by just staying in the dollar.

So, what are the short term investments I should be looking at? I'd prefer funds more than individual stocks or bonds.

[Alan]

Keep some in cash to protect against deflation. Put some in gold to protect against inflation.

[DrShort]

Gold's had a big run up and is historically volatile. I don't see how that's a safe investment for the short term.

[ira s]

Well selected Texas tax liens can be a very good investment. You're paying the back taxes . If the owner redeems within six months, they must pay a penalty of something like 20%. If they don't redeem you can get the property, which, if selected well will be worth far more than what the back taxes were.

[johnsgonefishin]

If you want to be really safe put it in a money market. You will make about 3% yearly at current intrest rates or 6600 a year. There are alot more risky positions. With the current economy I have my housing fund in a money market, my retirement in stocks and international mutual funds. I also have some money in precious metals though I believe they are going through a small correction currently I am looking more long term with precios metals.

[Lake Hills Renter]

*sniff sniff* Do I smell spam?

[Ubersalad]

It's not spam until he respond with his own "thoughts" on what he should invest.

[Lake Hills Renter]

I was referring to a post that has since been deleted, not the original post. I guess I wasn't the only one that thought it was probably spam. They are definitely getting craftier in their disguises.

[minorminer]

I'd drop it in three jumbo cd's since the fdic insurance is only temporarily upped to 250k until December 31st of this year. Put one in a one year, and the other two in 6 month cds. If you don't need the money by maturity of the two six month then keep rolling them over, I'm not sure all banks support that though. There's no risk, due to fdic insurance, and you're making money. To further maximize interest, put them all in one year cd's to reduce your tax burden.