Apartment building acquisition strategy

[Jabari Marshall]

HI BP fam, I've always dreamed of owning an apartment building.  I'm a new investor.  I currently have a duplex and have been saving my 20-25% for my next acquisition which would have most likely been a triplex or quad.  I've been going about it the safe and slow way, but I've realized in order to get what I really want(apartment building) I'm going to need a lot more money.

Ive flirted back and forth with hard money but I am reconsidering it now BUT I'm also considering a joint venture entity. The people that I know with apartment buildings have all had partners at some time or another.  I wanted to know which strategy do you guys think is my best option and whats the best and smartest way to go about attaining it?

I just moved into my duplex a year and a half ago.  I have some money saved not much, but I have excellent credit.  I was thinking about a 5-15 unit building.  Despite me only having a duplex and not having a lot of skin in the game.  I know it is achievable, I just need to know the best way to achieve it, giving my circumstances