I used to think you needed to own physical properties to make steady returns.

As mentioned your post was removed because you made an inappropriate comment on someones physical appearance and that is against the rules, i even noted that if you removed that specific part of the post you could repost your comment.

But more so for actual physical showings when prospects are viewing a property (whereas virtual staging is quick, cheap, and easy, but does nothing for you during a viewing of your listing). 

Completely get that Ken M.It's just that I was identifying my no expenses as a financially superior way to get ahead of the curve, as well as being able to take care of my parents by physical proximity.

When Reagan cut the program for some people, he was kicked off the "system", got a job and has worked ever since, gainfully employed, paying taxes, now in retirement collecting Social Security from a system he actually paid in to.There was no physical reason he was collecting social security services "disability" payments, it was a spiritual problem.

Physically threatening you is illegal.

This works out well as it gives you, the buyer, time to improve the property (force appreciation) via physical improvements and/or improving the management. 

No doubt..100% equity in a cashflow plan backed by physical structures or assets is hard to beat.  

Most newer folks in the investment space I have encountered what immediate results so they can quit their jobs as soon as possible - they think real estate is like a money vending machine, rather than a physical asset to invest in and let your money grow over the next 15+ years.

I don't even use a physical application anymore and the screening company I used previously required that I pay and then I collected a fee from the tenant.