No way would I bother getting soil samples or anything like that since the cost would probably exceed any economic value I could derive from the property.

If you're going to make a few modest upgrades to a property to make it more desirable, ceiling fans is probably an item that would make it near the top of the list, but you're not going to necessarily derive a direct rent increase from ceiling fans.

Physicists want to derive all rules from backs principles.

Plus, they are accustomed to liquidity in stocks, bonds, mbs, cdo's, derivatives and other like-kind assets.

It’s mainly in how the investments change in value.The S&P investment derives most of its value through appreciation alone.

Remember the author defined his question as, “Success being defined by someone being able to live above average lifestyle strictly based upon their earnings in real estate.”This did not limit itself to passive income only, but all income derived from real estate.  

Securities and derivative trading not so much but more so since the advent of online forums and platforms. 

Even if you've acquired the data, deriving property segment rental performance against inflation over time isn't straightforward.

I Don't think real estate will crash.However, Evergrande and 4 other major investment comanies are on the ropes and depending on how it falls, it will affect Blackrock, HSBC, Deutsche and anyone else who has derivatives, in the ensuing contagion.

I am kind of in alignment with David Greene in that I think more value is derived by investing my time elsewhere.