Quote from @Andy Port: I'm currently looking to take some money out of traditional investments and begin investing directly into real estate as a passive investor on syndicated deals.The internet is pretty much copy-paste with advice on how to access real estate and defaults to saying "Just invest in a REIT - its the same" except you pay for the entire pool of existing properties (even if they have low yields in less opportunistic areas), the entire management team's multi-million dollar salary and their private jet, etc...

A few personal favorites are Facebook Market, Homegoods, Wayfair (for certain items and materials), Rooms to go. local furniture/cosignment stores, CB2 outlet. 

Crowdfunding is essentially old-school syndications that use newer regulations that allow them to market over the Internet. 

You are on the internet too much and not talking to real-life real estate investors enough.

There is nothing they do that you can't find for free on the internet. 

The internet and video calls make the world pretty small! 

But you need to learn all about landlord/tenant laws, how to do basic repairs, know what average labor and material costs are for common projects. learn about payment systems, how to interview property managers, tenants and handyman services, build a team of realtors, contractors, title, hard/private money lenders, inspectors, appraisers and soooo much more. 

Money Back claims are easy - except when you are asked for the money back then the excuses start.We bought into one that is well known and is actively soliciting new members several years ago and found it to be a total waste of money - generic material, generic advice and support that vanished when we did not see the results they claimed and asked for some additional assistance. 

Mold can be found pretty much anywhere there is water and organic material. 

It's better than what you'll get from most attorneys and what you'll find on the internet.