Multifamily and residential is an energetic business where marketing, sales and customer service are paramount.

I would not label crowdfunding as risky overall (plenty of people get conned in person as well) but I agree with @Chris Seveney and others who have said that due diligence on the sponsor/operator is paramount.

I  used to think cash flow and numbers are paramount, but as I have aged now 64 I find that I am willing to sacrifice  a little cash flow (not a lot) for the ease and comfort of managing my portfolio.  

Trusting the sponsor will be paramount to you sleeping at night, and I can't stress that enough.

So knowing the area that you are investing in intimately in these times when so many people are competing for deals seems to be paramount. 

Trusting the sponsor will be paramount to you sleeping at night, and I can't stress that enough.

Self-management and an ability to apply what is taught, stay in communication, and commit to seeing deals to the close are paramount.

Any increase in value is that incredible cherry on top I love to see, but it's not paramount. 

@Terell MilesI'm with you on that, being educated is paramount.

A lot of owners will only provide a short balloon period, which makes the ability to refinance paramount.