I just noticed this post and if you are still in need of some recommendations let me know what exactly you are looking for in terms of investments I work with investors in the El Paso area and could possibly be of assistance. 

I am a young realtor and assistant property manager.

On the one hand, my partner currently owns a house and it is being rented by 3 separate individuals (3 bedroom, 2 bath home) and that scenario is working really well.

So if you use best practices in property management, you probably do not need to protect the other properties individually against each other.   

This varies by individual and who their $ source is.

The best advise would be to educate yourself as much as possible and try to network (as you are here) with like minded individuals and most IMPORTANTLY take action.

We work with individuals, local and regional investment groups and even some of the nationals. 

(There are some other special variations you can do, but doubt they’re necessary for you) Plenty of good QIs on here that can assist.

Individual loans might have more transactions costs but one loan they are all cross collateralized and you may not want that.

Hard to say what would work.Each individual has a different risk tolerance, amount of being passive versus active, needs cash flow today versus more equity growth on the back end, certain time horizon to stay in the investment,etc.Only the individual can decide what is most important and the best fit through research and self discovery.For me as a syndicator and sponsor I like deals where there is big equity gain on the back end for my investors and myself.