Investing - Paper Assets

[Account Closed]

I understand that BiggerPockets is geared toward REI. But, how many others out there also like paper assets (equities, bonds, etc.)? I personally do not try to time the market and only stick with low-cost index funds. For example - Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX). I am starting out in REI, but I have a hard time imagining not maxing out retirement accounts available to me (403b, Roth IRA, etc). Does anyone else struggle with this?