When people is asking to compare syndication vs DST it means it's totally newbie question too sorry too say.I would say the DST is more structured like an REIT, it's the Mercedez Benz of Commercial Real Estate.In syndication it's more like Fast-and-Furious drifting car haha, some of the operators really wild wild west, they are running with DSCR 0.6x to succumb investor's money.

If you have private money available, you should explore those as preferable options due to terms and upfront coasts as compared to HML options. 

The price to enter is extremely low compared to other markets in the U.S.

My company is always willing to partner with local wholesalers, investors, real estate agents/brokers, private money lenders, etc..        

Ask the lender to send you some example contractor quotations for past loans

Can you recommend experienced lenders and real estate agents for multi-family properties in Jersey City?

The key strategies are: partners, private lenders*, and owner financing, but there are many others. * when I say private lenders I mean true private lenders; people who lend to you becuas they know and trust you.

Add that they have bank financing as well and you are an unsecured creditor behind a lender....  

Even if we did tear down and rebuild, im afraid it would put us under water or at a break even point if we are super strict with the build budget- plus adding to that, I don't know how the rehab lender would even look at this now if we do have to tear down.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?