Point taken, but I'd value my (and everyone else's) personal judgment when it comes to property investment higher than investing in a REIT simply because I have

Point taken, but I'd value my (and everyone else's) personal judgment when it comes to property investment higher than investing in a REIT simply because I have more insight into what I'm buying and have the ability to personally improve my asset by taking good care of it, making improvements and getting involved in my community. Owning a home isn't all that different than running a small business in that way.