NYC area - New Investor

[Ahmed Gheith]

First post here - so appreciate everyones time in advance. 

I am just beginning my real estate investing career. I have read several books in preparation for this journey, but I am finally on the hunt and ready to get the ball rolling. 

I am lucky enough to be backed by 5 private investors who collectively will provide up to $2m to get me started, and have a pretty high appetite for risk (so I can use leverage). I have a 15-20k marketing budget. Need to put the money to work in the next 3 months.

I am open to wholesaling, fix and flips, and buy/hold on multi families. 

My questions are as follows:  What would be the best way to structure my agreement with the investors? They are interested in being equity partners as opposed to lenders, but would still require their investment be secured by the underlying properties. Would any good real estate attorney be able to structure this agreement and provide the proper guidance? I came to bigger pockets before even calling an attorney...

Has anyone tried direct marketing in the Brooklyn/Staten Island area? Does it work in such a competitive market? 

Also interested in networking with realtors, wholesalers, RE lawyers etc. in the area. 

Thanks!!