[ QUOTE ]
im not even convinced that real estate is a better investment that the stock market. This article
]http://ezinearticles.com/?Returns-on-Real-Estate-vs.-Stock-Market&id=639801[/url] explains that real estate returned 12% from the period 1926-current while stocks returned 11% in the same period (standard cera used for long term comparions in finance).
[/ QUOTE ]
you are forgetting about the much greater ability to leverage in real estate. if i buy an investment property with 20% down you can multiply my return on what % the house appreciated by about 5 since i didn't have to pay cash for the house. there are a lot of other benefits you get as well.
as far as it being as passive, no, but the better return, yes