If you can double or triple your retirement in the process then do it.
I don't understand why you'd be selling something at the drop of a hat. We have four homes. If the price is down or the interest is up and we want to do something, we just wait for the cycle to change. We decide when and what to do.
You keep saying put all you eggs in one basket and you don't know what you're talking about. You made that up. I never said we do that, nor do I advise others to do it.
Your view of rental property is limited. You don't always assume that your expenses will be exceeded by the rent. Sometimes you do something for long term gain and tax break, not for immediate cash flow.
It is clear to me that you are operating with less than sufficient information and are inexperienced.
I really don't have time to give you a full primer.
There are many personal finance books out, I suggest you check some them and expand your knowledge, before your 85 and out of money.
And it you're buying rental property for a tax break... that's not an investment either. It's called a tax deduction.
I know you don't believe me. You should spend some time listening to someone like Dave Ramsey or something.
I manage my mother’s accounts, and my mother-in-law’s accounts. They live very comfortably off the income it generates, and the various accounts grow at a rate of return that exceeds inflation. They’ll never have to work. And they’ll leave solid estates to their children. And it isn’t based on an upturn in the housing market.