Investing 200k for real estate rentals vs index funds

hello,

29M 60k salary plus business income 60k varies. net worth 600k with 20k in fix cash like emergency fund and 195k in cash and rest in index funds/ targeted fund.

the real estate market now is high and crazy but my market in north jersey has too high of a property tax for me to buy a primary duplex to house hack which will cost me 850 a month and when i move out would cost me 450 a month in neg cash flow

live with fam now and savings. my plan was to buy a rental in NC/FL a good rental market but if it won’t return any good % of cocr than what should i do then? keep investing in index funds? i want some real estate and not into reits or crowdfunding

@Jerome_Johnson

what is your feedback on this?