I suggest you enter private money goldmine in search botton at top right of the screen and read the previous posts....here is one that gives good perspective as well as a link to legitimate private lenders.http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/92/topics/1488...

Out of topic but how do you handle guest resolution on your direct bookings? 

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/1224454-real...

Investors of these bonds recommend you get off BP as far as discussing this topic.  

Talk to house hackers because that would be a great way to start, but you are also advanced with money so you may find smarter options that act more like index funds (syndications).Yes I was actually looking at syndications that was going to be my next research topic that seems extremely interesting and powerful syndication seems like an awesome way to diversify without getting my hands dirty necessarily.

Example https://www.meetup.com/topics/real-estate-investors/

The only thing that their support team does is send you links to articles that don't solve the problem.

I imagine a lot of the reasons will overlap with the previous topic.  

Interestingly enough, I came across an article in the Philidelphia Inquirer that raised concerns about the REIT two years ago.

Bigger Pockets sent out an alternative investment article which included ATM investments as a suggestion.