...well, how do I get a more flexible career, so I can enjoy the fruits of my labor.

There are many ways, but one that's borne fruit for us is to find them through tradesmen, which made sense to me as a contractor but few people really seem to think clearly about.

The second door takes forever to get to, the third a little quicker, things pick up speed, and by the time you have 10-20 you can barely remember that first property and all the panic of choosing an investment that will produce, of having all your eggs in one basket.

There is some opportunity for "baskets" of land that really aren't positioned for a specific buyer (think of one parcel that is half hunting timber and half tillable, with maybe a wetland issue or two or some work to clean up a square piece for farming) where you could go in, tidy things up and do some savvy dividing. 

Just own that Mini van and trust me eventually you will see the fruits of your labor.

Now, this isn't right or wrong, but this is how the REI/401k debate applies to my life, based on my situation, using my experiences and education, and with my final goals in mind (this is the most important part, IMO).Years ago I once heard Jim Rohn say that only 5% of Americans can survive, in retirement, off of the fruits of their own labor.

I can tell you from what I am seeing affordable housing new builds are almost NON- EXISTENT these days.For multifamily or senior housing the cost of land, materials, legal, and labor is very expensive and the projects only tend to pencil out renting to a more affluent clientele.Affordable housing there has to be massive tax credits ( LIHTC ) or other type avenues where it is made fruitful for a developer.

Although some folks hit the jack pot with that fruit company in Cupertino ;)

I do not want to be the employee who life passes him by because he worked a job he did not like for so many years and now at the age of 60 he is finally able to enjoy his fruits of labor.

Try googling "the apartment recession of 1972" and you'll see what can happen if you put all of your eggs in one basket.