"Winging it" is not a Business plan.For certain properties, we also add "Quiet Hours" to Rental Agreements; "No outside (or under house) storage"; and, when tenant is expected to maintain the yard, we specify "every X days".For all properties, everyone of legal age that will be occupying must complete an application, and be included on the Rental Agreement, no exceptions; All vehicles must be currently licensed, insured, and operable.

Whereas you took a tick on paying off the vehicle loan quicker than originally anticipated.

I do make weekly trips to water new trees over the summer.I provide filters for tenants and personally spray once or twice a year and write off the chemicals.  

They are ok with not owning vehicles.

REITs don’t give you benefits of direct ownership, but they are great vehicles for passive investing and typically require low minimum investments with low risk and a low threshold of work involved.Private Real Estate SyndicationsGroup investments where people pool their resources to invest in a large asset is a real estate syndication deal.

I think it's important to note that when saving for retirement, developing your strategies, and looking for the vehicles you wish to use to obtain those- you must consider Cost of Living.

But we spent a lot of time with her, taking her to doctors appointments because she had no vehicle, dropping off water because she had no electricity or running water, and helping her in other ways rather than just focusing on the "what's in it for me".

If you don't need the income now and you just want to grow your IRA - then self-directed IRA will be the vehicle you'd want to use.Solo 401k plan designed for those who are self-employed or own a small business. 

@Matt Snow What "disruptions" do you see coming in the near future in RE based on blockchain, autonomous vehicles, and other technologies?

It does seem like investing in a multi-family at some point is the way to go, mostly because, from what I understand, I can qualify for more financing (in addition to using my home's equity) for that type of vehicle (as opposed to w/ a SFH) based on the potential rental income of a 5+ unit building.