Advice for new REI with $500k cash

[Ryan Bunch]

I am a new real estate investor with a large amount of capital.  I am constantly consuming, trying to read and learn as much as possible over the last 6 months.  I wanted opinions from experienced investors on where they would start if they had $500k cash.  I would obviously need to find an experienced partner that I trust, but would you start with a large multifamily/apartment?  Become a hard money lender?  Other ideas?  Maybe I am ignorant but it seems like starting by buying small rental properties would not be the best way to leverage my cash.  Any input would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.

-Ryan