Data proves REITs are better than buying real estate?

[Maggie Wray]

This recent article in Forbes argues that Data proves REITs are better than buying real estate: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcprosser/2017/07/1...

I've been following Bigger Pockets and planning to buy my first rental property sometime this year...but this article made me wonder if I should be rethinking that decision, and investing in REITs instead!

So, I'd love to hear what Bigger Pockets members with more firsthand experience with real estate think about this article.

1. Are they right about this? Do you think the arguments in this article are valid, and REIT's really are a statistically better than buying real estate directly?
2. OR are there other counter-arguments this article was ignoring, that make purchasing real estate directly a better investment after all?