Real Estate Investing outperforms the S&PTRUE. 

I put my head down and I figured it out... mind you I am a former NASA robotics scientist, so I may have a slight advantage "figuring things out"... but I still firmly believe that anyone doing this on their own will far outperform any service providers or so called expert out there!

Note syndicators with good track records that project 17% to 20% annual return and typically outperform projections are available and more passive. 

From my point of view all that matters is that my investment out performs the stock market over a given period of time.

We still need to rehab/fill a handful of apartments, complete some Capex type projects, dial in our expenses, but the buildings are outperforming what are expectations were at this point.

Precisely how much you offer, how much due-diligence fee, and how much in earnest money, is part of your competitive strategy; A great realtor will out-perform a less experience one  by hitting these numbers perfectly to make a great deal that entices the seller, and protects the buyer.

STRs have been, thus far, outperforming LTRs provided the location is great.

At some point I saw that my initial negative cash flow properties in San Diego were doing a lot more for me in total returns than my OOS properties that were cash flowing right out of the gate...after a few years my San Diego properties were outperforming the OOS ones even in cash flow. 

Appreciation in our market historically outperforms out of state cash flow.

My short term rental has far out performed any of my traditional rentals by a long shot (but it's more work to manage).