First house $65,000 (did all the work ourselves) was making $32,000/year combined.
Renovated and added on to it, paid cash. Built shop, paid cash.
Best plan for my situation was to borrow minimal, live beneath our means, save and pay cash as we went to get it where we wanted.
Cabin, paid cash as we went. Rentals, put down what was required, renovate as time snd $$ allowed, build equity over time.
Real estate, for me, is preferred. It’s what I know and feel comfortable with.