I want to be an active participant in these forums and find partners that can help me achieve my investment goals.

You can learn how to Invest and fund a Roth IRA and just buy the REITS, etc. that pay 10% Dividends if you want to participate in the R.E.

I have about $60-$70K in cash ready to use once I set my criteria and finish reading the book.I will participate and be active in the community as much as I can since I do work a lot.

Are there other options out there from larger institutions?

If my speculation is off, and this lender was already at the true HML rate/fee/terms range, then I'd suggest finding another... people and institutions wanting to loan money out with double digit rates, and crazy points and all that, are a dime a dozen. 

If a loan amount is above $1MM then you can get institutional money but they are somewhat picky regarding inexperienced MF owners.

JVs have different requirements regarding active participation on the business vs syndications, so be sure you're aware of those differences.

@Dillon Francis@Derrick DillHere are the general considerations regarding 401k loans.401k Participant LoansIf your 401k plan allows for 401k participant loans, the maximum loan amount is equal to 50% of the balance up to $50k.

We believe in each and every project because of our expertise and years of institutional experience in the commercial real estate industry.

That typically seems a bit dubious to me because in order to be a legal JV there has to be active participation in the investment.