If you want access to our entire Portfolio and all our current Top Picks, feel free to join us for a 2-week free trial at High Yield Landlord.I want to do something I have never done before on Seeking Alpha: a full review of my investment portfolio.Austin Rogers is a REIT specialist with a professional background in commercial real estate. He writes about high-quality dividend growth stocks with the goal of generating the safest growing passive income stream possible. Since his ideal holding period is "life ...

Core Insights - Investing in high-yielding dividend stocks can generate passive income, with many companies offering yields significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.2% [1] Group 1: Clearway Energy - Clearway Energy has a dividend yield of just over 5%, generating stable cash flow through long-term, fixed-rate power purchase agreements [2] - The company aims to pay out around 70% of its stable cash flow in dividends while retaining the rest for investment in additional clean power generation assets [2] - Clearway expects to deliver 7% to 8% compound annual cash flow per share growth through 2030, with potential growth of 5% to 8%+ annually beyond 2031 [3] Group 2: NNN REIT - NNN REIT offers a dividend yield of more than 5.5%, investing in single-tenant, triple-net-leased real estate, primarily in retail and service properties [4] - The REIT pays out about 70% of its stable cash flow in dividends, retaining the remainder for reinvestment in income-producing properties [5] - NNN REIT has a conservative balance sheet and has increased its dividend for 36 consecutive years [5][6] Group 3: Oneok - Oneok has a dividend yield of 5.5%, generating stable cash flow primarily from long-term, fixed-rate contracts [7] - The company has invested heavily in expanding its midstream operations and is working to capture cost savings and commercial synergies from recent acquisitions [8] - Oneok expects to increase its dividend by 3% to 4% annually, supported by its financial strength and growth drivers [8]

Core Insights - Millennials are increasingly feeling behind on retirement savings, with many expressing concern about their financial future and the adequacy of their savings [2][3] Group 1: Retirement Savings Status - Experts recommend that individuals have twice their annual salary saved by age 35 and three times by age 40, yet the median savings for those aged 35 to 44 is only about $45,000 [2] - Responses from millennials reveal a wide range of savings experiences, with some having significant savings while others report being in debt or having no savings at all [2][3] Group 2: Factors Influencing Savings - Positive savings experiences are often linked to strong employer matches, union jobs, or careers in stable sectors such as public education or private equity [3] - Some millennials credit early employment in unionized positions for providing a solid financial foundation, highlighting the importance of employer support in retirement planning [3]

Investment Strategy - The primary financial goal is to generate sufficient passive income to cover basic living expenses, with a focus on investments that alleviate concerns about the impact of AI on income [1] - Investing in high-quality dividend stocks is the foundation of the investment strategy, with NNN REIT recently added to the portfolio to help achieve financial freedom through passive income [2] Company Overview - NNN REIT is a straightforward investment focused on single-tenant properties secured by long-term triple-net leases, primarily in retail and service sectors [4] - The properties owned by NNN REIT produce a reliable income stream with low volatility, as tenants cover operating expenses, taxes, and routine capital expenditures [5] Portfolio Diversification - NNN REIT maintains a well-diversified portfolio, owning nearly 3,700 properties across 50 states, leased to over 400 national and regional tenants in more than 35 lines of trade [6] - Major tenants include 7-Eleven (4.3% of rent), Mister Car Wash (3.9%), and Dave & Buster's (3.7%), with properties located in main street areas to ensure a strong market for replacement tenants [6] Dividend Performance - NNN REIT currently offers a dividend yield of over 5.5%, surpassing the REIT sector average of around 4.4% and the S&P 500's yield of approximately 1.1% [7] - The dividend payout ratio is around 70% of adjusted funds from operations (FFO), which is lower than many other net lease REITs, indicating a solid foundation for the high-yielding payout [8]

Core Viewpoint - Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey advocates for mutual funds over real estate for generating passive income, emphasizing that real estate management is not passive and involves significant effort [1][2][3]. Group 1: Real Estate Management - Ramsey argues that the notion of real estate as a source of easy, passive income is unrealistic and primarily propagated by those without real ownership experience [3][4]. - He highlights that managing rental properties incurs substantial costs, such as maintenance and repairs, which can negate the perceived benefits of passive income [4][5]. - The expectation that a portfolio of debt-laden real estate will automatically generate wealth is criticized as a misconception, often held by inexperienced investors [5][6]. Group 2: Investment Strategies - Ramsey advises individuals to prioritize their careers, pay off existing debts, and consistently invest in retirement accounts like 401(k)s before considering real estate investments [3][6]. - He shares his personal experience of initially using credit to buy properties, which led to significant financial loss, underscoring the risks associated with leveraging debt in real estate investments [6]. - The current real estate market offers alternative investment options, such as institutional-grade access through firms like Lightstone DIRECT, which manages a portfolio exceeding $12 billion [5].

Core Insights - Billionaire Stan Kroenke's acquisition of 937,000 acres in New Mexico has made him the top landowner in the U.S. as per the 2026 Land Report 100, marking the largest land purchase in over a decade [1][3] - Kroenke's land purchase surpasses other notable landowners, including Sierra Pacific Industries, John Malone, and Ted Turner, who own 2.44 million, 2.2 million, and 2 million acres respectively [2] - The Singleton Ranches, purchased from the heirs of Henry Singleton, is the second-largest land deal of the 21st century, following Malone's 2011 acquisition of 1 million acres [3] Investment Trends - Kroenke's acquisition reflects a trend among the ultra-wealthy towards investing in hard assets with intrinsic value, providing a hedge against inflation and control over essential resources [4] - The Singleton Ranches exemplify disciplined land management practices dating back to the mid-20th century, contributing to a diversified portfolio for Kroenke, whose wealth is significantly tied to real estate and sports franchises [5] Portfolio Highlights - Kroenke's existing portfolio includes significant properties such as W.T. Waggoner Ranch (535,000 acres), Q Creek Ranch (560,000 acres), Douglas Lake Ranch, and Winecup Gamble Ranch (247,000 acres) [7]

Core Viewpoint - The prospects of oil and gas exploration and production companies are closely tied to oil prices, with Diamondback Energy being a more favorable investment compared to Vitesse Energy in 2026 due to differing business models and operational strategies [1]. Group 1: Vitesse Energy - Vitesse Energy operates as a non-operator, investing in various wells in the Bakken area, effectively functioning as a Bakken exchange-traded fund (ETF) [3]. - The company has interests in over 7,600 wells operated by larger firms, utilizing a proprietary data system to identify investment opportunities [3]. - Vitesse Energy's business model diversifies risk across multiple wells and employs a flexible hedging strategy to mitigate downside exposure to declining oil prices, with a current dividend yield of 11.7% [4]. Group 2: Diamondback Energy - Diamondback Energy focuses on the more productive Permian Basin and is recognized as one of the lowest-cost oil producers in the industry [5]. - The company offers a base dividend of $4 per share, yielding 2.6%, which is protected down to an oil price of $37 per barrel, with hedges starting to protect at $50 per barrel [5]. - Diamondback's capital return policy is flexible, including a base dividend, opportunistic share buybacks, and a variable dividend, with strong free cash flow estimates indicating robust capital return capabilities at current oil prices [6][9]. Group 3: Comparison and Risks - Vitesse Energy's recent acquisition of Lucero Energy, leading to the operation of 10% of its own assets, deviates from its original non-operating model, suggesting potential challenges in finding non-operating investments [10]. - Diamondback Energy's lower breakeven costs and flexible capital returns position it more favorably compared to Vitesse Energy, especially in a fluctuating oil price environment [8].

Core Viewpoint - Dividend-paying stocks and dividend-focused ETFs provide a reliable source of passive income while allowing for capital appreciation over time [2][3]. Group 1: Dividend Income - Various forms of passive income include interest from deposits, rent from tenants, and annuity payments, with dividend income from stocks being particularly favored [1]. - Dividend-paying stocks allow investors to earn income without selling shares, and the value of shares and dividends typically increases over time [2]. Group 2: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, focusing on high-dividend-yielding stocks with a history of consistent dividend payments [3]. - The ETF has a yield of 3.8% and impressive average annual returns over various periods: 9.45% over 5 years, 12.86% over 10 years, and 12.30% over 15 years [3]. - Compared to the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, which has a lower yield of 1.1% and higher concentration in tech stocks, the Schwab ETF offers a more balanced approach with only 9% in tech [3][5]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The S&P 500's heavy weighting in technology stocks has historically benefited it, but this concentration may lead to greater volatility during market pullbacks [5][6]. - In the event of a market downturn, the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF is expected to perform better due to its diversified holdings and lower exposure to tech stocks [6].

Core Viewpoint - ETFs are highlighted as effective tools for generating passive income through diversified portfolios of stocks and bonds, with specific focus on three dividend-focused ETFs: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF, Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF, and JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF [1]. Group 1: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, focusing on high-yielding stocks with a consistent dividend payment history [2]. - The ETF has a trailing 12-month dividend yield of 3.8%, meaning a $10,000 investment would yield approximately $380 annually [3]. - It boasts a low expense ratio of 0.06%, allowing investors to retain more of the income generated [3]. Group 2: Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF - The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) provides broad exposure to high-quality bonds, holding over 11,400 bonds from government and corporate issuers [6]. - The fund offers monthly income distributions with an average yield to maturity of 4.3% and an average effective maturity of eight years, ensuring steady income [7]. - It features an ultra-low expense ratio of 0.03%, making it suitable for low-risk, fixed-income investment [7]. Group 3: JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF - The JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) aims to provide monthly income with less volatility through a defensive equity portfolio and a disciplined options overlay strategy [8]. - The fund has delivered an income yield exceeding 8% over the past year, with monthly distributions fluctuating based on options income [9]. - Since its inception in 2020, JEPI has achieved an average annual total return of 11.6% and charges a 0.35% expense ratio [10].

Core Insights - Investing in dividend-paying stocks can facilitate wealth building and early retirement through passive income generation [1][2] - Reliable dividend payers exhibit strong cash flow and sustainability in payments, making them suitable for long-term investment [2] Company Analysis - **Realty Income (NYSE: O)** - Has paid monthly dividends for 667 consecutive months and has increased dividends for 32 straight years [4][5] - Offers a dividend yield of 5.28% with a payout ratio of 75.29% and an annual dividend of $3.24 per share [5][7] - The REIT owns approximately 15,500 properties and maintains a high occupancy rate of 98.7% with a 1% annual rent increase clause [6][7] - Stock price has appreciated by 11.15% over the past year, currently trading at $61.42, with positive market sentiment for future growth [7] - **Healthpeak Properties Inc. (NYSE: DOC)** - Focuses on the healthcare sector, including life sciences, medical offices, and senior housing, with a dividend yield of 6.84% and a payout ratio of 66.83% [8] - Although it has only increased dividends for 1 year, it has consistently paid dividends for 36 years [8]