I am in the same camp as you but also realize the opportunity cost and the ability to acquire more properties.

I haven't looked much into syndications, but I'm definitely in the camp of wanting more passive than actively being in the trenches everyday doing RE stuff. 

First off; it was said that you have zero experience in leasing, property management, and have no idea where to start.... and people are saying you should just go out and magically figure it out overnight and the results will be.... yeah, the results will be what your skill and experience level equip you for, a tenant nightmare. 

I am building a team of investor friendly real estate agents here in the Camp Lejeune, NC area. 

We went from a sellers market to now somewhere in the middle almost overnight.  

@Dan Wentworth, @Taylor L.Dan, Taylor has provided some very good initial steps to get you started with creating those relationships that will eventually bring you some quality off-market deal flow.I would like to reiterate the point that this is not an overnight process.

Welcome to Camp Lejeune and Jacksonville, NC.

I'm definitely in Scott's camp of having a large financial base when starting.

Real estate values do not change overnight especially when there is ample demand and low inventory.

You will not see a change overnight but how we work will change.