@Jack MiHi Jack,Seeing that this is "Post # 1" for you - I have to ask, how familiar are you with syndications and real estate investing in general?  

We learned that Xcel energy can be a real nightmare to work with during a panel swap.

For my situation being away from home so often(I'm a Michigan resident), this would still allow me to participate in real estate but be diversified beyond a syndication.

The great divide” is between purchasing real property for CASH FLOW, or purchasing real property for CAPITAL APPRECIATION.IKnow, I know, the two are NOT mutually exclusive.  

Upside: you have now a loan that is being paid down, equity that is growing, and probably some appreciation and you learn how to buy and manage real estate which in itself makes it worth it!

Concentrate your education on real estate principles, real estate law, and real estate finance2.

Do you have a good investor friendly real estate agent in your area you can ask if they have a referral for a good insurance broker?

Quote from @Jake Dunsmore: Hey Tony, I am a investment real estate agent here in Kansas City buying/selling off market deals very frequently.

I'm Cindy Wirth from Oceanside, CA, passionate about real estate investing for the past few years.

My background is commercial real estate and that is a normal way of doing it there.