Most alternative investments work just like pretty much all RE niches work when deployed effectively.   

You've probably heard and have been suggested to invest in stocks, bonds, or have thought about other real estate alternatives.

Are there other, more cost-effective alternatives to gain similar support and knowledge?

Despite the inability to claim depreciation or avoid certain taxes, many investors appreciate the control an SDIRA offers, allowing them to invest directly in real estate and other alternative assets they are passionate about.I do not recommend buying tax-efficient assets like RE in the already tax-efficient IRAs.

Or with alternative options?

Banks who offer construction financing tend to be 75-80% LTC and alternative/hard money lenders will sometimes offer higher LTC leverage than that.

And what's an alternative way similar to Jerry's program?

I'm hoping this forum can help me understand what my alternatives are.

I imagine other people might have good alternative suggestions too. 

RADD brings imo highly reputable folks to talk alternative investments that helps to possibly validate their business model, too.