There is an extensive network in Sacramento - as Mark mentioned, I host a local REI meetup (it's actually the 4th Tuesday generally) and there are other meetups around town, I can share a list of them if you'd like

My brother and I want to get into real estate investing for passive income, and we’re thinking about starting off with a duplex in a year or two after saving some money, that we can live in and rent other unit(s). 

If you boost leverage to 75% the cash in your pocket is even greater and the returns get boosted again.Now go forward in time a few years and you can do a few things you can never do with a stock:If the property has appreciated, take out another loan and put more money in your pocket.Or, you could sell the property you can use 1031 exchange to buy a much bigger property, reset the depreciation clock and pay no income taxes at that time. 

If I get some money, I consider it a bonus.

Pool for sure... but probably way more $$ depending on what you area actually adding...above ground I assume...

If you are still interested in this deal after your research and thinking about the potential upside, then you can begin your 'pitch' by assuring the sellers that they'd save time AND money by dealing with you directly.

So we have to focus over, as @Jay Hinrichs touched on which is ACTUAL wealth CREATION.

Cash. pooled money from investors.

Best way is to have a broker that is knowledgeable about what you would actually buy, has good referrals, and actually completes transactions in the buildings that you buy. 

Hi Account Closed, I run a hard money group in Chicago and we fund BRRRR projects.These loans are typically structured similar to fix-and-flip loans - interest-only bridge loans that are repaid with the proceeds from the refinance following the completed renovation.