This deal proved to be the perfect balance of financial gain and personal enjoyment.

Figure out which best fits you and your personality and take it from there.  

I'll let others chime in on their experiences, but from a motivational perspective, I think attending live events and getting the "conference high" is something that only happens through in-person connections and being in the same room with investors who are eagerly pursuing their real estate/financial goals. 

Share what you are looking for and the deals you are working on with your network in person and on social media regularly.2.

Quote from @Jessie Dillon: just my 2 cents.. i'm not a fan of the syndication model. there are better ways to invest more passively where you have more of a say in what goes on, can achieve higher returns, and can have your personal interests at a higher priority. 

Highly suggest coming out to some of the local chicago IN-PERSON meetups! 

For funding, explore options like FHA loans, personal savings, or creative financing, and focus on New Jersey markets that align with your goals, such as Newark for rentals or commuter towns for house hacking.

Personally, I advocate for a long-term investment strategy and would recommend investing the funds, provided you are comfortable with the expected return on investment over time.

I've know him personally for years, had the opportunity to consult with him on both sides of the business and have to say he's the real deal. 

Questions they will have is who is the owner, what experience do they have, is their key person insurance against them etc.