I find RE syndications to be a very good blend, between managing RE and passive REITs, they keep me locked up for 10+years minimum, so I don't (as a glorified Chimp with Wi-Fi) trade out of them at the wrong time when market gets scary, but they also generate REIT beating returns and as an LP in 35-36 deals I have no active role, so I can focus energy/time at my job, creating more investment income, and the tax benefits are beyond sexy. 

MINO lending is extremely reputable and gets the job done. 5 stars recommend. 

Take your time, spend the money, invest your time and energy into actually coming to the market, sitting down with these brokers, property managers, other investors, go to networking meets, get in the market, get face to face, belly to belly with the brokers. , trust me, if you fly the way all the way from California to Raleigh, North Carolina, , the broker in Raleigh is probably going to consider you a serious buyer since you just spent, you know, a couple thousand bucks and, you know, three, four days to get there.

They'll put all their energy in the project, and you're buying time.

This was a handshake type deal, and the tenant was paying just a couple thousand dollars a year for 5-6 acres of land where the tens is storing 204 old wind energy blades.

I tossed LEED in favor of Energy Star as it seems easier to achieve.

On the other hand, sometimes it irks me when I book a 5 star rated place and it's disgusting inside and the beds are awful.

Which I don't do and I still get them coming sometimes.Just be aware once operator stars  options to refinance will only be private or  commercial loans tried myself and no luck hard hide is a assisted living with people in it heard of some doing some crazy stuff but hate going illegal on things like this, ended up refi with commercial forget about cash out and such, and you are bound by appraisal as a commercial property which was in our case 25% lower then if we sold it empty as a residential home.

Based on your time, energy and capital you have to deploy will dictate where and what strategies you can use.  

The best cities to invest are the ones that fit your budget, time, and energy.