5 Reasons for Engaging in Real Estate Partnerships (Other Than Money!)
Why should real estate investors consider partnering, even if they don’t need to?Why do investors, families, and firms who don’t even need to partner up for financial reasons still choose this strategy for investing in real estate?There are many reasons that real estate partnerships have perhaps been the longest running model of investment in our planet’s history. Some need to partner up to get started. Some offer partnership opportunities because they really need the capital others have. But there are better reasons to partner, too.
Reducing Investment Risk
Sam Zell’s definition of a partner is someone who shares the risk load. No investment of any type is 100 percent risk-free. If someone tells you it is, I'd advise for you to walk the other way. Having partners enables investors to diversify, to minimize downside potential from any disaster or market change at any given moment, and to provide for more consistent upside. 
Leveraging Other People’s Time
Leveraging other people’s money is very common, but leveraging their time can be far more valuable. It is a far rarer commodity than money or real estate. Real estate investing done well can be extremely time consuming. That’s true whether you are fixing and flipping houses or managing a portfolio of single family rentals. Anywhere that you can leverage other people’s time from sourcing properties to leasing to remodeling to management can be very beneficial.
Leveraging Minds
One thing I’ve learned from watching and studying the successes of others is that the best always leverage the minds of others. You’ll see that with Tony Robbins, Warren Buffett, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, and top athletes like . There is so much to learn about real estate. There is the buying and selling side, mortgages and the banking system, appraisals, tenants and landlord laws, property management, repairs, maintenance and rehabs, and so much more. Each is its own industry, but to master this domain, you need to be great in all areas. And just when you think you know it all, the regulations and rules change. So to really operate at an excellent level, you’ve simply got to learn to leverage the best people in each of these areas.
On-the-Ground Help
Local expertise is invaluable in today’s real estate investment marketplace. It is becoming more necessary for many individuals not only to invest in the U.S. from abroad, but for Americans to invest in other states and cities. But even some of the biggest organizations have major blunders by not understanding the finer quirks and processes of the places they are investing in. This brings together both of the above points. It helps leverage both other people’s time and minds to create more safety, efficiency, and profitability in investing in the locations and properties with the best potential. 
Connection
It is perfectly possible to invest in real estate for yourself, by yourself. I’ve personally just found it's a lot better done with others. Similarly, you can appreciate a great cup of coffee alone, a run on the beach by yourself, or a fantastic meal in a great restaurant on your own. But we all know that those things are way better to be enjoyed with someone else. That can mean simply online friends, though it’s great when you get to connect on a more personal level occasionally too. Many might find that their investment partners eventually become some of their best friends.Going even beyond that, those who really want to accomplish goals bigger than themselves -- such as revitalizing communities, implementing greener housing, and providing safe and healthy housing to people who need it -- will find partners invaluable on their missions. So where do you find them? You might find great people to partner up with through your attorney, at local real estate clubs and expos, or online via crowdfunding platforms, Meetup.com, or the BiggerPockets Forums.Investors: Do you work with a partner? Why or why not? Let me know with a comment!