Paul - I'm in Raleigh and am also new to the RE game. 

I am a little embarrassed to say what my end game is because it is beyond me at this moment in life, but here goes. 

Clearly defined goals, with an end game in mind4.

In general, a more transitory environment where we more often than not, run into the “professional” tenants who know how to game the system.

I want to play this game for the long-term and not looking for short-term returns.My portfolio should benefit from appreciation, depreciation, tax-free cashing-out, leverage using low interest rates (from #1), cashflow to cover the expenses.Syndicate & CF seem to be ruled out since I can't control the asset, cannot leverage it when I want to and there's no collateral on my investment.What is a good way to start?

In this case I would not mind putting a large down payment since you are playing the long game, and with risks growing everyday of a sell-off or bubble, you will be able to CYA in the worst scenario.

@Nabeel M.Normally, I would agree with @Wesley W. about not getting involved in tenant drama, but this, as he also indicated, is one of this instances where tech can change the game.

What's your why for doing real estate, what's your end game. 

The name of the game is to MAXIMIZE cashflow!  

I'm new to real-estate investing and I'm trying to understand the difference between the different forms of investingI want to play this RE game for the long-term and have the portfolio benefit from appreciation, depreciation, tax-free cashing-out, leverage using low interest rates, cashflow to cover the expenses.Here's my understanding of eachDirect RE- Full ownership / control of when to sell- Can leverage & deleverage as you want- Work involved to maintain property; But can hire a property manager to assist- Can provide cashflow to cover expenses + CoC return- Provides hard collateral / security for the money you put in- Tax benefits - depreciation, phantom appreciation, interest deduction Majority Partnership- Form partnership where you are majority owner with 2+ other people (with more capital input) - Can provide benefits of direct RE on controlSyndication- Passive investor / accredited - Less work- Access to commercial RE which you can't get otherwise- No security / collateral for your stake; Can loose everything- No different from investing in a business- Already leveraged returns; You don't control how asset is structured- Depreciation benefit passed through K1; But no benefit of 1031Crowdfunding- Low minimums- Already leveraged returns- Can be equity or debt based; Equity stake has some tax benefits through K1- No security / collateral and everything can disappear without recourseIs this correct?