Alternatively i could go for being a real estate broker and try to get experience in actual real estate without putting too much of my own skin in the game.

Real- Estate  is a lot tougher game now because of technology now allowing buyers, sellers to access the market using the internet without using agents but  you do have hot areas that can support  more bodies .

Play the long game and focus on rent and home price appreciation.

Hey Ximei,I totally understand wanting to maximize the impact of your initial investment, and if you're open to taking on a bit more complexity, the BRRRR route can be a game changer.

In any partnership you can't just cut a check and hope for the best especially if you're providing the money and the other partners don't have more than their time in the game.

Not know what Eddie Speed is all about, is there a game plan you have for notes?

hope this helps. turnkey might be a good fit for you. but real estate is a long game.

There was a "Syndication Gold-Rush" and with that, a lot of persons with "Gold-Fever" got in vs those with solid game-plans and know-how to PROPERLY do the operations of such. 

Hey @Nik Farooqui, welcome back to the game!

Playing an appreciation game can be risky.