How can I include real estate in my retirement plan?

I am going to retire next year. Since all my children have their own family and my wife passed away five years ago. I am living with my son Jason in Ohio. When I retire, I want to buy a small house in Ohio where I can do my gardening. With the housing and stock market so volatile, is now the time to invest in a real estate property? How can I include real estate in my retirement plan? I know eventually I will die and I want my property to be inherited by my son Jason. I hope someone can answer me here.