I have been investing in trust deeds for over a decade and will continue to do so because I believe this is one of the best ways to invest your retirement funds.

Therefore, if you look at history, real estate has continuously performed in an upwards fashion while, like any other investment, has experienced short lived corrections from time to time.

I've had one recent multifamily deal in Florida exit with a 32% IRR and one hotel deal in Atlanta refinance and return 110% of the original invested capital through dividends and the refinance and the hotel continues to make regular 16% distributions.  

Plus there's sports there to continue to boost the area.

One important detail is that my brother currently lives with us, and we are open to having him stay with us if we do make a purchase as a renter to help cover our mortgage.I see our main options as the following:1) Buying an SFDU to live in, and "house hack" with my brother continuing to live with us and pay rent2) House hacking with MFDU.

Total turnaround time can be within the same month if you start at the beginning of the month, but don't be surprised if it continues into the next month.S8 in my area outsources the inspections.

Personally, if your market tends toward the former condition (better/normal appreciation) I think it's a fairly safe deal looking at the long term, assuming infrastructure around you continues to support the idea of renting it.

Right now its slim pickings in real estate for properties that will cash flow or see any significant appreciation. of course they are always out there but a lot harder to find.The other question is why do you want to continue to grow?

and as they sell you continue to 1031 them back into new DSTs or back into bricks and mortar if you're tired of retirement. 

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