Quickly scaling my investment business

[Gaston Barua]

Hey BP!

I am a new investor looking for some tips on how to grow my real estate investing as quickly as possible. I am in the process of closing on a duplex (which is delayed due to the seller having a lien on the property). That said, I would like my next investment to be an apartment complex.

My current plan to get there is to 1031 the duplex for a smaller apartment complex after a  year. I know I could just follow this strategy over the course of 5-10 years and finally own a larger apartment building. 

My question is: Is there alternative methods that I am not considering/am not aware of aside from this? I know I could also use a private money lender, but I would still have to come up with 30% down somehow. 

How are other investors buying multiple properties a year?

 Thanks in advance!