I lost money for many years in real estate, while my friends were enjoying life with their savings.

In your case, it sounds like a similar story.. you identified a property with potential, tackled the structural work, and brought it back to life in a way that justifies a higher price.

If, however, there are any gaps at all in any of the above items, even a gap so small a mouse can squeeze through, that tenant will exploit it and your life just became a 7th Level of Dante's Inferno.....:)

I life in Portugal and here there are so  many houses that can be flipped.

Virtually everyone has used an electric range or oven in their life but lots of people have no experience at all with gas anything. 

And yes, buy your own home/property, you will have much more control over your life. 

Properties are not like stocks where After IPO the market cap is so large that that most of the life changing appreciation is gone. 

Some months I’ve unfortunately had to pay like $150 out of pocket but I’m Planning on holding long term wise and the let the rental bare fruit later in my life because I’m only 22 and just wanted a base hit or a rental in a great neighborhood.

If you engage with tenant drama all the time you'll be doing that 24/7 for the rest of your life.

Pictures are a life saver if an issue arises at a property!