It's actually the other way right if we're talking generalities.If we're threading a needle, then almost always RE over stocks.

With a Self-Directed IRA, you can become a private lender and fund real estate deals while your profits grow tax-deferred or tax-free.How it works:• Your self-directed IRA lends money to a real estate fund or investor• The loan is security by real property• You earn interest which is paid back directly to your IRA• No stock market volatility and no landlord headachesWhy investors love it:• Predictable returns• Asset-backed security• Control over where your retirement money goes• Passive income inside your IRANOTE: You can’t lend to yourself or certain family members; but when done correctly, this strategy can be powerful.Curious if this fits your retirement strategy?

That said, this path is not appropriate for most investors, as the income is typically uneven, project based, and far less predictable than traditional employment.

Biggest things to watch are older housing stock with hidden deferred maintenance, insurance costs on some areas, property taxes and assessments, and making sure your rent comps are real closed leases not aspirational listings.

Quote from @Christian Welch: This is something I always stress and make very clear:STR investing is not just buying a property and listing it on a platform for rent.A short-term rental is essentially a hospitality asset.It’s not a hotel or a motel, but it absolutely falls under the same scope — operating a business that provides both a service and an experience to the client.Like most hospitality assets, the majority of your costs come from:• Turnover and cleaning/ Preparing the unit for the next guests                                                                                                                                           • Restocking paper towels, toilet paper, soaps, towels, linens/ Stocking up all these supplies upfront• Ongoing wear on mechanical systems — HVAC, plumbing, appliances, water heaters, etc.This is why many STR owners choose to hire specialized STR property managers — firms that already have the systems, staff, and client base to book properties months in advance.

Commercial real estate exceeded expectations in 2025-Office fundamentals showed their first meaningful improvement since 2020, led by continued strength in Class-A assets.Data centers remained on an exponential growth path, expanding well beyond traditional hubs and increasingly supported by alternative energy solutions.Investment activity rebounded sharply, with CRE transaction volume up 17% year-over-year, driven by improved lending conditions and strong private capital engagement.While concerns around bank CRE loan distress dominated headlines, actual write-downs proved far more limited than predicted—though office exposure remains an area to watch.Walking into 2026, the message from 2025 is clear:commercial real estate didn’t just survive — it reset and started growing again.

A housing stock that allows value to be created, not just boughtThis allowed investors to: buy below replacement cost, renovate strategically, refinance into stabilized assets, & repeat at scale. 

I'm considering taking out a loan against my 401 K to make it happen and selling some stocks.

Long term inflation is hard to predict and impossible to control.

Since the mortgage will be paid off, I predict to pay high tax when combined my W2 and rental income.