Anyway that's it for now, back to the grind, cheers folks!

Some just have a different signal-to-noise ratio.

There is a lot of noise in this thread unrelated to the issue (section 8, pays below market, leaky toilet for years damaged the floor, Christmas week, furnace inspection a couple of months ago...all not relevant). 

Not sure if I would want one in an STR though with so many parts, not knowing how to use it, potential for mess etcI have an automatic machine that grinds the coffee, packs and dispenses.

A restaurant downstairs with odor, and noise till 3:00am is unsuitable for residential tenants.

I am definitely aware that real estate is nowhere near passive but I like that it can be more freeing than a full time W2 - therefore I’m not opposed to the grind of long term real estate. 

While I’m not in a rush, I aim to strategically invest and grow a portfolio over the next 3–5 years to make a smooth exit from the corporate grind, as reporting to an office daily has left me feeling burnt out.What strategies would you recommend?

I don't think a gift card is necessary at this point, but if you can exchange addresses and phone numbers that would be great.Think like a neighbor....they are going to be worried about parties, noise, trash, etc.

And most times, if you have that grind mentality, they will feel somewhat threatened by you ultimately becoming their competition (unless of course they are retiring or getting out of the business).I hope this somewhat helps.Georges Franco

They come with strings and fees so whether they are worth it depends upon whether you can live with the strings and have enough gain scale to justify the fees.I was looking at Delaware Statutory Trusts for similar reasons and opted not to go with them as most I've seen are incredibly inefficient due to massive internal fees which grind into dust much of the tax savings, so what would be the point.