I agree for the most part... I think people were looking at interest rates and predicting doom and gloom but just because rates are higher doesn't 100% correlate to return. Consider how many properties were refinanced under the historically low rates that will pay dividends for years and years. Not to mention, as rates go up, rent will likely go up to some degree to cover costs in newer properties.
As for not mentioning funds, I'd prefer to mention them in hopes of others buying into them and driving the price up more :) But I'm unlikely to buy anything different than what I've got now for the short term. The REITs were more of a bonus dump that worked out well, timing-wise.