And in part, it depends on the investors and capital that you have access to (this tends to play a factor in many decisions when raising outside capital).If you do want to go the fund route, you might want to consider using Avestor. 

Role-playing.     . you paid $300k 10 years ago, it’s worth $660k, (so when you sell you net $600k to make math easy.)and your cpa determined that you owned zero land, so it’s all depreciatable. you owe 15% on the $300k gain plus 25% tax on $109k depreciation recapture, so you owe $70k in federal taxes, then California reaches out for another $30k?  

Your property manager will play a key role in this team, helping you maximize occupancy, maintain the property, and ensure tenant satisfaction.

The property cash flows and I could definitely see each investor making at least $1000/mo with the most hands-off approach of renting to an operator and much more if a person ran it as STR or LTR and it is a great diversification play for me as Costa Rica should see much better appreciation than the Midwest, but if I were to cash out I could see five times the cash flow because of the power of leverage.But I think you hit the nail on the head in saying that it is a lifestyle type of investment.  

Let’s be honest, I’ve watched folks who jump into this game as if playing roulette.. firing off offers on duplexes in Phoenix or leaning on some “sure-thing” house hack in Austin without ever sketching out their plan.

And virtually all of them had owned rentals and maybe kept a few but were just tired on the TTT but wanted monthly cash flow . so there probably is some of that at play as well Investors that dont want to deal with the PM aspect of owning RE..

PG's are worthless those that have PGs that are worth anything dont need gap funding they have the cash.this is a play for folks you know well .. not for internet facebook BP etc.. people that do this do it because they know you like you trust you and think your a good operator.Public has to many other choices that are much safer bet.. its not always about ROI with those with money..

I very much have a long term play and "don't care" about the cash flow immediately, but obviously I don't want them to negative. 

When you have won the game, it's time to stop playing."

I am far from an expert in this field as I have been learning alot myself but cap rate does play a role in your type of business.