These phrases conjure visions of an ideal lifestyle, but the reality is far more nuanced.

What investment will get you a greater return and fit with other aspects of your lifestyle and investment goals? 

As copied and pasted from above-(1) more than one-half of the personal services the taxpayer performs in trades or businesses during the tax year are in real property trades or businesses in which the taxpayer materially participatesThat's how I understand the W-2 problem... it is hard to say you spend more time on real estate than any other activity if you work 2,080 hours.Another consideration is how much you rely on the W-2 income for lifestyle versus rental income.

It's essential to consider and appreciate the diversity of housing options available, each serving different needs and lifestyles.

We have a healthy rental market but if you are closer to the beaches even better. 

Based on your calculation, you retire in 10 years at the age of 49 which is much better than the average person.You will likely have a bunch of paid off houses and a healthy 401k balance.Seems like a sweet analysis.I am happy for you.

Make sure the math checks out and your lifestyle energy works with the math.  

not everyone can given family / lifestyle. 

Keep in mind your goals, time, energy, and the lifestyle you want to have or are willing to have. 

Rentals create cash flow, and that's what we want as real estate investors, but you need cash on hand for unforeseen circumstances.The AC needs to be replaced, that's $7K to $10K or more depending on the size of the house and if you have one rental, it will eat all your cash flow, same to replace a roof, etc, or if tenant trash the home, you need money to fix it again.To me personally a nice rental portfolio that is healthy consists about 10 units, so if you have an issue with a house the portfolio can cover the repairs and still healthy, but when starting you need to have cash on hand just in caseYes, there are multiple strategies you can use to hack your way to buy your first rental with minimum cash, but I would start wholesaling or fix and flip a few deals to create that cash as fast as possible