I’m not at a place where I can altruistically give my time without trading it for income.

If you are not in the trade or business of lending, the interest will be considered portfolio income.If you are in the trade or business of lending, the interest will be considered ordinary income.

I also looked into International REITS, funds that are traded on the stock market.

I am already seeing positive signs including far better dialogue between the building trades and local government.

Plumbers, electricians and other trades can easily charge well over $180/hr).

But of course, you need to be very careful about the risk of starting a trade war.  

Simply owning some investment real estate does not make one a real estate professional anymore than owning some stock's makes one a Stock Trader....To qualify for real estate professional status (REPS), you must meet the following requirements:50% test: More than half of your personal services must be in real property trades or businesses.750-hour test: You must perform at least 750 hours of services in real property trades or businesses.

We have a model-driven forecast for home price appreciation in the top 381 metros in the country, and we have two very out-of-consensus views as a result.

If you want a machine thats a jack of all trades , look at a Kubota L 3901 with a backhoe . ( Kubota still has 0% financing  )

When the World Trade Center was crashed into, the owner collected double on the insurance policy but then had to give half of it back.