> The link I posted was showing an 8+% return

If I'm not mistaken, they usually pay at least 3% dividend which is added to your salary. ETFs don't trigger any tax as long as you don't sell. And I didn't check but REITs probably have higher annual fees.

I was using REITs as a proxy for the value and opportunity cost of buying your housing rather than investing in a retirement account. If you actually buy REITs this breaks down because REIT capital gains are taxable, while residence capital gains on a primary residence of modest value are not.

It was not my intent to convey you should buy REITs instead of a place to live.

After early career this breaks down though, because the tax advantage are only good for primary residence modest value homes, it's not a strategy that can be continually employed.