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?

It seems like that would eat into the returns and you can't get positive cash flow for a while5.

You would have to self-manage though, as paying a property manager will eat up most of your profits.

I really suggest you change your goal from making a tiny taxable cash flow (anything less than $1,000/mo per door.) until capex eats it up.

It depends on how each rental is cash-flowing, but that could eat into your cash flow.

If it's not then maintenance can easily eat away at your returns.

Learn to manage well or your rookie mistakes will eat your lunch.

Do we go with the electricians recommendation and eat that cost to get the upstairs unit properly heated?

If any costs go up, developer eats it.

Managing five rentals can eat up a ton of time in any given week, often at times that are inconvenient to you and your personal interests (family, hobbies, travel, etc.).Of course you can manage on your own.