alfexe/iStock via Getty Images Co-authored with Hidden Opportunities Real Estate is often touted as the number one means of generating passive income. Its rise in popularity can be traced back to the post-World War II era, when Americans began buying homes for investment and ownership. In the 1970s, REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) were formally established, allowing investors to buy shares in large-scale real estate portfolios to tap into rental income without direct property ownership and maintenance ...