Long term buy and hold RE in good locations is probably one of the lowest risk investment vehicles IMO, similar to blue chip aristocrat stocks except even less risky because even long-established companies can go out of business but real estate very, very rarely ever goes to zero. 

Specifically I am trying to figure out the best vehicle through which to conduct our REI.

@John McKeeHi John, I can give a brief high level overview.A Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) is a passive investment vehicle that is generally used for real estate investing.

I would not envy investors who participate in this vehicle when the team has not track record of success with it. 

Its up to you the investor to realize this before you invest in these kind of vehicles. 

Too difficult to access our vehicles and the Fort Knox of cameras.  

Deal makers-  development potential, vehicles per day, road ingress egress off highway, signage potential, multiple road accesses, value add potential- housing- trees, boulders, ponds, walkout, views, right side of town, power-line right of ways, etc6.  

If I am buying an investment vehicle that I know is going to depreciate, then it doesn't matter what the market does.

Vehicle expenses are one of the major costs to consider, so living nearby helps reduce those expenses and saves you time.

We see it all the time with the conversations on what cars/vehicles folks drive :) here in BP there is a badge of honor to drive a 20 year old 250k mile car/truck :) Myself I saw my dad do some of this although he never got to the utra wealthy stage by a long shot but made good money in RE however it was not until he bought old style timeshare in Maui that he would finally take a vacation..