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.

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

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 .

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

I know you mention $400,000+ multi-family properties - but the numbers below will work out the same regardless of price point - I just chose simpler numbers to make the calculations easier to follow:Example:  $100,000 house - $1,000/month rent, $100 taxes/month, $100 Insurance/month - 7% on Financing Cash Versus Financed:Cash:$100,000 invested

Playing an appreciation game can be risky.

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.

Cash to invest (enough for deposits, skin in the game lenders want you to have, closing costs, carrying costs, and to kick off rehab work).2.) 

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