I would generally say no if you don't have a property unless you're looking for peace of mind knowing that you've set your financial life properly. 

Even if the sponsor lacking knowledge and experience can raise capital through syndication, their life will become a living nightmare of lawsuits, hostile social media posts, public ridicule, accusations, legal threats.  

Specifically, must this be a commercial/business loan type where you have higher rates and shorter loan life or is there an alternative loan type? 

Mostly due to the fact my spouse and I agreed on her to have zero involvment in any sort of RE investing (and its our home) I think once you have a good 6-12 months of reserve cash (operating expenses for your own life saved as a back up incase things go bad) save enough liquidity to get the ball rolling on your first invesment.

It’s awesome to see your excitement @Joe —this journey can truly be life-changing.As someone who started out while serving in the military, here’s some advice I wish I had early on: take action, even if it’s small.

For the right people with the right perspective, it could be a great way to diversify your investment and enhance your quality of life. 

The attached chart shows a good example of why this is helpful.Bonus Depreciation - This allows you to accelerate the depreciation even further, deducting anything with a 15 year depreciation life or less in the first year. 

Welcome @Andrae S WigginsThere are REI opportunities in different markets - markets in the Midwest and Southeast of the country are great - where not only are the purchase prices reasonable for most RE investors, but the homes are turnkey (new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, systems 10 years of life remaining on them, property management teams in place) with appreciating home value AND appreciating rent. 

We both run our own businesses but we feel that real estate will help make sure we both maintain our life plans of not needed to work as much any more.

You're definitely not the only one in this religion so there's other people that will likely be dealing with alcohol-free life and navigating that situation.