@Adam Celentano, As someone who invest in both syndications and direct real estate, I think both of them have a place in a balanced portfolio.

I am looking into hard money loans but have no experience here with them and with 4 other loans in my portfolio, dont think I would qualify for a conventional loan due to my income/debt ratio.

The type of tenant we would be placing is not ideal for our portfolio.

I'm not always a turn-key fan for the reasons listed above, but it is a great way to start a portfolio.

This is a way many new investors start out and slowly build up there portfolio. 

Context:As a new, bright-eyed, soon-to-be real estate investor in multi-family properties I want to be aggressive in building up a portfolio to where the rental income would allow me to step away from my full-time W2 job within the next few years.

@Tim LovellAre you looking to invest in notes passively through a JV or actively and manage your own note portfolio?

It is possible to do both as long as you meet the criteria required to obtain each loan, AND you adhere to the owner occupancy requirement for each loan.This is what BPers like to call house hacking, and it is a very smart strategy of building a portfolio with the least amount of out of pocket investment.Now, step back for a blown mind moment......ask your lender about the FHA 203K or 203B renovation loan that allows you to rehab a property using an FHA loan in which FHA allows you to finance the rehab expenses

Another company wanted to hand over their entire short-term rental management portfolio to them and they turned it down...it was almost 40 units I think.They already have the infrastructure to handle this just not the knowledge.

I taught in CPS for six years while developing a small portfolio with my wife...working hard to expand it right now.