I'm a big fan of EPR when it comes to REITs....
As for returns, I don't think it's fair to compare a liquid stock owning 100+ large properties to a duplex. They're very different investments
Why EPR
I've owned it on and off for 15 years and work in banking. EPR owns and leases back properties that banks struggle to finance with due to the type of property (not due to tenants). They started by doing Cinemark and AMC's Theatre anchored retail centers. Now the portfolio includes some more diversity with ski resorts, water parks, and charter schools. They tend to buy recreational properties that are drivable from urban areas, not destination resorts.
The biggest risk of REITs (office, retail, industrial) is when the economy tanks, vacancies go up. The movie business and water parks still do okay during recessions. I think they also keep debt down below 40%
http://www.the-numbers.com/market/2009 was the highest year ever for movie tickets sold in the depths of a recession. Now the industry is slowly trimming the # of seats in theaters and increasing the price point, so the theatres depend less on box office revenue and more on concessions and games. There are a lot more dine-in movies and reserved seating than compared to 10 years ago.
I get almost a 6% yield and they increase the dividend by mid single digits each year.
It'll be a 5-20% holding in my portfolio when I stop working. The only reason I don't own more is almost all of my individual stock holdings are in a taxable account and REIT income is fully taxable.