No question, rental real estate is the best investment provided you assess the risks and make it work for you. I’m in my 4th quarter and bought ocean front property 5 years ago. My family thought I was crazy. The property has since increased 82% in value, we use it frequently as a family for vacations and weekend get aways, greatly minimized my RMD requirement, break even each year on my taxes, etc. Now, who is the crazy one?