Buying my first home (3 unit) was easy, I live in one and rent 2 others.

One likes a larger number of units and doing syndications, while the other likes lower number of units and partnerships.

That's very broad since it depends on what type of product you want to build (single family, multifamily, and in what markets/cities and at what scale (one or two units at a time, or larger), etc. 

As others have stated, I would be very cautious jumping into a larger multifamily property starting out. 

Rates for 2nd home and investment properties are very very bad right now.

It helps you learn how operations, financing, and returns actually work before trusting a sponsor with a larger check.

I’ve personally seen a multi-family commercial flip through my co-investing club, and it highlighted how larger commercial deals can be structured collaboratively while mitigating some of the hands-on management that comes with residential rehabs.

From my knowledge, they typically work with larger builders and developers.

I've been able to at least match AirDna on several different properties and with my larger place greatly exceed it. 

Partner into larger multifamily deals by owning a clear operational role.