Don't do it if this is all you have in retirement.

Now retired and traveling I'm thinking of selling and investing in dividend ETF's for income rather than rent.  

I retired as an Army Captain in 2023 and I currently work as a manager in aerospace defense manufacturing managing a ~$3.8B production portfolio.

My adult children have 9 properties now ~ they advise me to buy a few rentals to provide eventual income supplementation after I retire. ( Who wants to be the retiree wiping tables at McDonald's ?

Scope of improvements included:Full interior updates: new flooring, interior paint, lighting, granite countertops, and updated appliancesAddition of high-demand short-term rental amenities: game rooms, custom bunk beds, hot tubs, swimming pools, and putting greensProfessional interior design and full furnishing to optimize guest experience and nightly ratesThese improvements were executed with the objective of maximizing long-term performance, increasing appraised value, and creating differentiated offerings within the Hot Springs vacation rental market.Refinance & Financial PerformanceUpon completion of renovations, we partnered with a local commercial lender to refinance the portfolio.Combined appraised value (ARV): $2,601,000Approved loan amount: $2,200,000 (cash-out refinance)After retiring the hard money loan, the transaction resulted in a net cash return of $300,470.51, which represents $118,181.09 more than our original down payment—effectively removing all invested capital from the project.TimelineThe full cycle—from acquisition through renovation and refinance—was completed in 174 days.OutcomeThe result is a portfolio of three fully renovated, amenity-rich lakefront properties, each now positioned to perform as premium short-term rentals with strong long-term appreciation potential.

Unless your rental income increases faster than inflation, you will not have the needed dollars to pay inflated prices.For example, suppose you invest in a city where the average rental income increases by 2% per year and inflation averages 5% a year over the next 30 years, which is your anticipated retirement period.

I am very much aspiring to diversify my retirement portfolio into real estate investment.

You don't know or care about retirement because the government gives you handouts.

Sell them, pay Uncle Sam and enjoy your much deserved retirement. 

I ask people how they are set up for retirement.