I'm pretty much purchasing all shops before moving into the real-estate areas. Reasonings, it gives me more income to be able to play with and be able to pay to fix properties. Earning a nice 13,800 income from shops (and i've got all the big ones still to buy, the small ones are mine so far with 2 pubs and a few main places in Bowerstone). Got 2 places left to buy in Brightfall, and about 4 or 5 in Bowerstone. Then the real-estate.
As i heard about needing a hefty amount of gold for the latter part, i thought it would be in my interest to get the majority of that gold now before i become King. Because i've decided i'll be keeping to the promises i have/will be making to the people of Albion. Hey, they supported me in my progress to becoming King so the least i can do is give back to them.