.- In reverse direction, American oil company invested heavily in rubber, tea plantation, oil company in such country since ... 1920s- Mainland Chinese family came to Cupertino,CA in early 2000 to purchased house there.I meant to say, the US mainstream investor is just mainly "do not know" those international activities already happening in the last 20 30 years or so.

Even the barest furnished units that don't have a full kitchen usually have a microwave so people can heat up frozen entrees or warm water for a cup of tea.

It very well could be a much better play, it's just not my cup of tea. 

What I really dream about doing is selling tea (like green tea), or some similar entrepreneurial gig.

I would recommend that you keep saving and looking for something more BRRR if that's your cup of tea.

If it is not your cup of tea (because value adds are work), take the extracted $250k and put it in the index fund.  

I love Gardening (Organic), I grow medicinal herbs and make teas, Beekeeping (we just started back after my husband lost his hives several years ago); Nature Photography, Antiquing and Flea Markets (Pre-Covid we were planning to drive around the country going to different flea markets and antique fairs in our vintage Airstream; but those plans are on hold), Tai-Chi (Love it!)

A coffee/tea tray in the kitchen nook with cups and pretty napkins will warm the space, as well as setting a dining table.

In rare situations that can be as simple as slapping some paint and flooring down, but more often now it means developing land, subdividing lots, scrape and build, etc.If that's not your cup of tea, that's okay; the stock market is perfect for passive investors, and returns are quite good.

They might be your cup of tea.