My long term goal would be to build passive income and retire early (at 55) using a  different investment vehicle, possible mortgage notes, they seem complex and quite fascinating.  

As to gurus, my dad recently told me that if he could attend some clinic and learn or see something different (actually, marching into different formations can be rather complex moving 120 players around) that it was worth the price of the book or clinic and they were not cheap.Good ideas are valuable, so long as they can be replicated by others, are compliant and fit into ethical business practices.

When I was younger, I did this and my apt complex let me off the hook once the apt was re-rented.

The process of renting here is more complex than buying elsewhere.  

There are 4-5 brand new apartment complexes going up in that Lindbergh MARTA pocket along Piedmont.  

*I do get that recessions do put pressure on apartment complex's cash flows, but a good deal and syndicator I hope will keep us all above water.

What size complex are you looking for?

If this is "yes", then you need to consider the time, expense, and risk/complexity that is inherent in a development project.

There is a level of complexity to the process that requires there to be a retail client focused team that most big manufacturers are not able to perform.

I would probably only invest in bigger commercial apartment complexes since you guys probably have a lot more money to start than most people.