However investing in DIRECT real estate investments differs considerably from investing in mutual funds, index funds, bonds, money market and REITs that most investors are familiar with.  

I dont know anything about which of them put the money up or if it was some fraction from both and don't intend to try to study that out. 

Overall, it can be a profitable business, but most people get into it to become an investor and 99 percent fail right away because they don't know the slightest thing about repair costs, talking to sellers, and are only in it for the money and not to help people.

@Elizabeth Lark I use my SD IRA and my QRP to lend money to real estate investors.

My biggest issue is that I’m using personal funds as owner contributions to these accounts and money moves from account to account on a consistent basis, so I’m trying to be diligent in proper accounting. 

still, though, with a syndication you're just turning money into (hopefully) more money. with SFRs and smaller deals, you have control of the asset. 

Don't want to burn my money on the first go. 

They are two young professionals with money, they have extremely high demands, they "know already" because they talked to their "xyz professional buddies already." 

I have a great attorney but he never asks for money for small questions and I feel bad so trying to see if i can figure this out on my own first. 

I know the addage if you treat it like a hobby it will pay you like a hobby but if I have some extra cash maybe it's better spent on a 2nd home with the potential for income vs. just using that money in my primary home.