Not to mention the oil and Gas is so volatile (I’m an engineer in the industry) that you really can’t rely on that (for long term rentals). 

I do want to have around 20-30% equity in my first property so my profit margins aren’t too volatile due to the loan payment.

The publicly traded ones trade with the same volatility as stocks.

I went all cash in my retirement account about a month ago and am looking for the decent returns without the present market volatility.

As historic evidence, according to the Wall Street Journal, when the market crashed and the economy pulled back in 2008, REITs (on average) lost about 25% with some near 40%, and since 2000, REITs “are second only to emerging-market stocks as the most volatile asset class. 

While some areas may have more upside, that could come with volatility.

As has been stated on these forums regularly, the seller also benefits greatly given the consistent return of the note and at a much higher rate than one would receive from a bank and with less volatility than would be experienced in the stock market.In my uneducated opinion syndication offers higher potential for return whereas seller financing offers more financial flexibility.

However given the upcoming presidential election and all of the uncertainty I believe there will be substantial volatility through that period.

I know that the market is unpredictable and particularly volatile now.

With the recent (and likely worsening) stock market volatility, lots of investors will be looking for alternatives.