Asset-Level Risk.

This gives me asset protection and anonymity. 

I feel like I am buying a safe investment but not achieving a high yielding asset.

Now I am a software developer looking to begin investing.

It's not that easy to accomplish and usually involves advanced strategies such as bonus depreciation mentioned by @Logan Allec and asset segregation.The good part is that investor-friendly lenders will add back depreciation, not counting it against your income for underwriting purposes.

But we somehow managed to buy a thrashed duplex that was near the worse in the area but had good cash flow and appreciated (as did most of our other depreciated assets). 

I would say leverage your assets.

They will definitely ask for a financial statement form where you list assets, liabilities, debts (secure, non secure), W2, Job status, ... etc.If you don't have anything palpable, they might just ask some front desk person or salesperson call you back.

Imagine coming off a 12-14 hr night shift in the ICU and your tenant emails/texts complaining about a broken toilet paper holder...or how they locked themselves out of the house.I think the two greatest skillsets I could have benefitted from but never got around to are sales, and software/coding.

Creating written documentation on how to recreate this process (training manual).Side Note: This individual is familiar with clerical and accounting software type of work, but not necessarily property management.