This is the table I use for selecting which activities work for REP and MP.Activities that Count for REP and MP✓ Acquisition analysis, financing, negotiations, closings✓ Rehab planning, supervising contractors, buying materials✓ Tenant showings, screening, leasing, Section 8 work✓ Bookkeeping, CPA prep, property-specific travelActivities Countable for REP but Weak for MP⚠ REIA meetings, networking, general market research⚠ Education/training not tied to your own propertiesActivities that Do NOT Count✗ Passive investor oversight (reading PM reports only)✗ Travel not tied to property tasks✗ Generic webinars, speculative browsing, hobby research

I think the real estate game is way more beneficial to one's mental and physical wellbeing than playing the stock market where you only sitting inside a house and looking at numbers.So yes, everything you said plus what I said, that's why even I know the stock market can potential yield similar or even better return, I keep real estate my main and stock market as a fun hobby.

I have been watching videos and learning about rentals since I was about 15 (I know its a weird hobby for a 15year old).

Not so say I would not hold real estate by any means, but I would not rely on it, it for me when I retire would be more for hobby.

This could include teaching fire safety courses, freelance writing, or even starting a small online business based on your hobbies.

Managing five rentals can eat up a ton of time in any given week, often at times that are inconvenient to you and your personal interests (family, hobbies, travel, etc.).Of course you can manage on your own.

Some use the cash flow to fund their hobbies but at least 2 of the people have completely replaced their W2 jobs and reap the benefits of their investing.  

It started with a couple of viral stays (like our mirror house), but over time, I realized this wasn’t just a niche hobby — it was a legit business model that could work if done right.

If you are pursing that path then one spouse alone must meet both tests.Qualifying hours for the 750 include time spent working on the business activities mentioned above.Again, more than 50% of your time means this is way more than a hobby.

.,-- 30% goes to optional things, restaurants, hobby expenses, vacations; and -- 20% goes to savings (to be reduced in value by inflation).