A syndication is basically a partnership where a general partner (sponsor/manager) and limited partners (investors) acquire properties that they would not be able to purchase alone.

For someone that's not as conservative, or a different view on the cycle, they might have a different opinion than me on all of this.2) Sponsor quality check: (takes about 45 minutes per deal)I believe that a great sponsor can take an average looking deal and make it great, and that in mediocre sponsor can take a fantastic looking deal and make it bad (especially if there is a severe recession).

As a conservative investor, I am personally not comfortable in investing in any of those platforms as I prefer sponsors with a lot more experience, a lot more skin in the game, better fees, a model that can be recession stress tested, etc..

For someone that's not as conservative, or a different view on the cycle, they might have a different opinion than me on all of this.2) Sponsor quality check: (takes about 45 minutes per deal)I believe that a great sponsor can take an average looking deal and make it great, and that in mediocre sponsor can take a fantastic looking deal and make it bad (especially if there is a severe recession).

Hi Sonal,Are you wanting to own directly 100% with your husband or do you want to invest with a sponsor?

My goals for real estate are to build up our savings, augment our retirement (we have an IRA and company sponsored 401k), spend more time with my wife and family, plan for our future children's education, and make it so I can move to writing software for causes I want rather than being a slave to the client (it isn't really that bad, but sometimes it gets tough).  

For your buy/holds check out b2rfinance (BP sponsor).  

There is a financial literacy program available to everyone, sponsored by the credit union industry.  

In fact, Memphis Invest was a huge help in sponsoring the event.I do, however,  absolutely agree that BP did not charge enough for admission,  and most would be happy to pay more. 

Hope you will read up on what syndication requires of a sponsor, which can be as difficult as visiting the moon ... at least for me, i am NOT a number cruncher.