If you have, say, $500,000 to play with, and you get a 10% return (much more passive than buying houses too) - you're almost where you need to be to retire!  

Had considered maybe a yearly tenant survey that, if returned, gets them a $10 gift card to coffee or something.

Let's also say I make a living from the returns.  

I really like this idea of having a place to use when I want and 4.89% isn't a bad return for zero work. 

I also bought my first property at the height of the market, and it has since returned to that price; though, I would still lose money in closing costs if I sold today. 

Then check and see if the total return would be worth the investment.

Well without question, your returns are higher when you leverage.Also to consider...if you are buying $50k properties, please have your eyes wide open and expect to deal with the problems that come with those properties. 

I could also be an equity partner with a guaranteed 15% return. 

IS there a ball return in the basement that goes under the foundation that could be expensive to fix?

But he has not been able to prepare my Tax Return for 2017.