New Investor Looking for Direction: Small Multifamily vs. Syndications

[Martin Zitzelberger]

I’m an entrepreneur who has recently reached a point in my business where I can finally start investing in a meaningful way. I’ve been studying both active and passive investing for years, and now that I have real capital to deploy, I’m focused on finding the right paths to diversify, grow wealth responsibly, and protect it long-term.

I’m not risk-averse, but I’ll admit I’m a bit overwhelmed by the number of niches, strategies, and opportunities out there. I’m especially interested in real estate syndications, but I don’t yet feel confident in my ability to properly vet deals or identify reputable sponsors.

My wife and I are preparing to get started with small multifamily properties in the Midwest, although this strategy has risks and drawbacks as well. I’d love to hear from members who have stood at this same crossroads. Do these paths complement each other? Which typically comes first? And is the current market environment a smart place for a new investor to step into commercial syndications?

Books are helpful, but I’m hoping to connect with people who’ve actually navigated this successfully. I currently have no network so thanks in advance for any perspective you’re willing to share.