There are good stocks to buy and bad ones.  

Balloons coming due with higher interest rates, China market, China production, Manufacturing production moving back to the US, Worker shortages, Workert pay hikes, Ukraine/Russia food and fertilizer misses, Oil prices increasing due to the OPEC Q1 production curtailments in place, Houthi issues, Panama Canal Water issues, Illegal immigration impact (buy one of those office buildings and rent for $10mm per year for Illegal housing, take advantage) social benefits required, Climate change believe it or not- Buy or sell into that thought process,  US politics, Baby boomers leaving workforce and needing more benefits, Baby Boomers moving from Stocks to Bonds,  etc.I agree things will get worse, but that means more investing opportunities. 

The rates are usually higher, unless you secure it with a CD or stock portfolio or something.

For context, professionally Stocks and Options is my career course and comfort zone.

My wife and I have been investing in the stock market for retirement for years and we are hoping to diversify our investments by getting started in real estate. 

The sweet spot to get the interest is 6%, the 5.5% is where activity starts but 5% & sub is where the real activity starts and starts coming to that 5-6 month housing supply stock in my opinion.

But if you look at annuities, they are an insurance product, not as much an investment product.What insurance companies do with your money you invest in their annuity is put it in the stock market and keep the difference of what they pay you and what they make in the stock market.  

Definitely look at one that allows you to invest in stock so if you have a little money leftover from a deal or while you’re waiting for the next deal you’re not losing income.

I've got a very basic, possibly philosophical (lol) question.Owning stock market or ETF shares means you own a portion of the company or fund. 

Syndications are naturally a higher risk asset class so you should be getting rewarded for taking that risk by getting more return than the stock market.