There isn't anything "fancy" about it, its just if you don't know about real estate and the various laws and some math, it can be difficult for some people to pass the first time around. 

Basic services, nothing fancy. 

No fancy sales pitches, flyers, post cards, or anything else.Around 80% of storage units are owned by mom-and-pop operators.

How do they dress?   

Makes it easier to keep track instead of using a bunch of fancy names. 

If you want to get fancy and complicated, speak with a REI attorney first (and probably a CPA). 

Or you could use this fancy thing called the interwebs...or something...http://www.indian-rocks-beach....

Maybe my wife would let me go down there dressed like a cowboy?

that's too fancy/advanced for me. 

The only difference is whether or not you'd be able to offset against your ordinary income...and that's also assuming your income level is under a certain amount (my apologies if I'm pointing out something you already know).As for syndications, as long as we are talking about equity purchases of commercial property and not debt or some of the other fancy syndications out there like secondary market litigation or insurance, you will have very large passive losses starting from your first year.