You obviously don't get the tax benefits of real estate, but if you're just looking for "returns", then lending your money out could be advantageous for your goal.

Buyer may elect to treat this Contract as canceled, in which case all Earnest Money received hereunder will be returned to Buyer and Buyer may recover such damages as may be proper.

You get a Capitalization Rate (CAP Rate), which equals your annualized return by dividing the Net Operating Income (you had gross in your narrative) by the purchase price.

I feel confident we will have it occupied and possibly at a higher return than anticipated at closing.  

This brings me to now, I've taken this approach and have used my own money in lending, but am also bringing in friends and family to take part in these transactions so they can earn way better returns than with CD's.

Not sure of very many places you can get that kind of return on a $1,000 investment.So, let's see...initial output of $1,000 ROI of $11,000...isn't that 1,000%?!

.• DSTs: Seems as though returns are rather low, low transparency on opportunities (?)

This should include potential rental income, expenses (including property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and potential vacancy), and your expected return on investment. 

This means no DTI, personal income verification, or tax returns are required.They’re also becoming a powerful tool for BRRRR investors during the refinance stage.

While it's positive after expenses and has potential for improvement in year two, it’s been a bigger hassle than anticipated and taking attention from other priorities and areas of our life with not enough return.