But, what’s the best strategy for someone who wants to own property, but just as an “aside”; to diversify their portfolio, hedge against inflation, or build a retirement nest egg?

You have kids - do a 529 plan and max it out You will retire one day - max out your 401k yearly, IRA, Roth IRA (or backdoor to Roth IRA)You will have health expenses one day - max out your HSA From here I'd invest in Real Estate.

I am 80 years old and rely on investments for retirement income.

However the owners retired and her team left when she sold the businesses.

If you are looking to pull out equity on your home to start to do some fix&flips(great idea) then it would all depend on how much equity there is in you home and your current income(SSI,retirement etc).

A lot of people find those lot to build on in their retirement, and in between use them as vacation spots in summer.

Most got maybe 30/40 years if not less to get from next to $0 too "retirement".  fully

Will you lend to a retirement plan (which will prohibit a PG)?

@Aubrey Eblin Thank you very much for sharing your experience with the Rent To Retirement Academy. 

The members of this forum can give you a lot of food for thought, to think of what you don't know:)How many years until you retire?