If you are accredited, the best thing to do would be to invest 50k into a syndication and soak up all the knowledge of how it works from an experienced operator before you make the decision whether it's your plan.

I'm a newbie tooSelf education through books is a conversation between the author (mentor) and you.You'll gain knowledge, connections etc but it takes timeAttending meetups, listening to Youtube videos on subject matter further broadens knowledge base

I've thought about commercial real estate and/or residential house building but dont have any knowledge on where to start.

This is a story from my past that provides a perfect example as to why investing in tax liens at auction is so dangerous for any but the most experienced and knowledgable investors20 years ago I purchased a SFR as a long term rental investment that sat on a double lot.  

It’s one thing to learn, but turning knowledge into action—mistakes and all—is what separates those who dream from those who achieve.Let’s keep building and growing!

A knowledgeable investor might see a beautiful opportunity hiding under a worn facade. 

You also want someone or a group that are not only knowledgeable but are timely & have good communication skills.

Soak up as much knowledge as possible (i.e., asking questions, reading through the documents, etc.) and continue educating yourself via books and podcasts so that you can leverage that expertise to do your own deals in the future.

I am still rather new in the investing world, but I know with enough base knowledge and liquid capital of course, I'd be willing to pursue it for sure. 

Sharing experiences and pooling knowledge might uncover creative solutions you hadn’t considered.While it’s frustrating to feel unprotected, focus on taking strategic, proactive steps.