I haven't been with eXp long enough to really form a solid opinion but the commission cap, stock options, and other unique benefits make me inclined to think their model is the wave of the future.

It's a cool niche, but often times I wind up educating everyone in the deal to try to get them all on the same page.

Yes the fact that the right MF that is financed properly can throw off cash to let you hold through a downturn is amazing and can make the investment somewhat unique as well as psychologically easier to hold.The issue is that this is a double-sided coin.

The sisters all trust eachother, so this allows for greater flexibility in doing something unique.

Just Do EVERYTHING you can and then more from the start.If you do what everyone is doing  (backlinks, citations, keyword yada yada yada... it will be a LOT harder to rank, because .. yup, everyone is doing that.I ranked in about 4 months because I came up with my own unique strategies.Ohh poop, you know what.. let me just do this:From Google Analytics:The picture above shows my online history.

I'm trying to look at this as an opportunity to start learning and doing real estate in some niche of the industry but I don't know what to do or where to start.

So, let's say every party is unique.

I don't really know a lot about real estate outside of what I've heard on the podcast, the people I've talked to who have purchased their own home, and any common sense I can muster (which isn't always a bunch).I have a situation that feels unique although I'm sure isn't...though being a newb, I really don't know. 

There’s just too many options for passive investing in real estate right now, with at least 100 crowdfunding sites offering investment participation’s in almost every property niche.

You can develop your own niche - as @Joe Splitrock has.