Everyone doubles their money and the house is yours.You have to do the math on contributions and payouts.

Kinda almost if once the money was there from the sale , then the vultures come .  

And that’s what ppl think they can find if they listen to real estate podcasts that set improper expectations (and really just want them to spend money on their products/deals)That being said year 1/2 can be rough with unexpected (should have expected) repairs from the prior owner.

I have found good deals used but time is money and with an occupied property I just buy new.

If you were to put aside the money that would go to extra payments, what interest rates would you get on that (ie would it make more money sitting in a high yield savings account instead of paying down a low interest rate mortgage)? 

Todays interest rate environment it is not a bad idea because it will be challenging to get returns that meet your interest rate you are payingIf your loan is 2-3% I would out the money in an account earning 4-5% compared to paying down a 3% mortgage - but I also get the stress relief of having a low mortgage and lots of equity

For my wife it’s the opposite.But you make a good point that real estate is not for everyone and there are other ways to make money.

I would like to start investing soon, but my full time is brokering for Hard/Private money loans.

Seller has no money to pay utilities or buy groceries.

If you are going to say your loan down part of your return for your net worth -- it should also be discounted, considering it is money leaving your pocket.