She has some stock (maybe 50k), some retirement IRA of around 100k which I believe she has started to take and then maybe 20k in her savings account.

This is the same process a national retail store chains use to determine store locations and what to stock.

Properties are not like stocks where After IPO the market cap is so large that that most of the life changing appreciation is gone. 

Areas with good rental demand or up-and-coming properties could give you more predictable returns.Do you already have a type of property in mind—like single-family homes, or are you considering duplexes, condos, or other types of flips?

I’m predicting that people sitting on the sidelines due to rate volatility over the past year will realize that waiting is futile and will stop sitting on their hands.

Fully stocked kitchen.

Seems a bit high on the exp ratio near 43% but we do pay a premium for our solid cleaning lady, she also stocks supplies, runs errands and other duties for no "extra" charge.

I just want to compare the real estate and stock market investment.

Without predictability on insurability and risk of the primary collateral being destroyed (which at this point theoretically could happen anywhere) as it’s January, and would you believe in 2023 that 71K thousand square miles of northern Canada burned 5% of the entire Canadian forest with billions in damages? 

The hilly terrain is a main reason for this and you can't really see that on a map so knowing the areas is key.We have old housing stock as well so big things like plumbing and electrical can vary cost wise if they have or haven't been updated.