Are Rental Properties or Index Funds Better in Pursuit of FIRE?

FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early), a flourishing lifestyle movement, has crept its way into mainstream culture throughout the past decade. Real estate proponents advocate for potentially robust monthly cash flow, price appreciation, and tax advantages, whereas index fund adherents cite minimal expenses, a lack of constant oversight, and efficient trading as reasons to invest. You'll hear FIRE proponents across the internet lauding the benefits of real estate investing, and in the right circumstances, you should listen.