This is going to be a combination of agents, financers, property managers, ect. who are going to do the day to day tasks of finding and managing the property for you.

Over a 25 year time frame the combination of the location and the house will grow faster than other properties, due to location/location. 

I'm guessing/hoping it's a combination of my screening, having a nicer than average unit and being responsive and respectful With the tenants.  

The other reason tax bills get stalled in Congress is that most bills combine multiple unrelated measures, usually serving various special interests.

And keep in mind private sellers and wholesalers dont help either when they wont entertain offers below ask either.

The key is to combine the two!

As you mentioned, it might be difficult timing the sales of each of properties where you can achieve a combined exchange (multiple properties into 1 property / or a few properties).Just a quick note that may be helpful - I work with a group of investors that can help with a combined exchange into a single property and will buy it back once you've found a replacement propertie(s) as the final destination for your capital.

Things like your vacations, entertainment, toys, food, clothes, housekeeping, pets, guns etc.

There are buyers that prefer any combination.

I've entertained in the past but usually the person bails and stops communicating during the process.