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? 

You need to first hire some "qualified intermediary" (a company specializing in facilitating 1031 exchanges), and the sales proceeds will be held in escrow by that company.

The seller hired an agent for a reason. 

Once you’re done spending tons of money on the rehab, please hire a professional photographer to take your listing photos.

You can also hire a structural engineer but they will charge a fee.

If you aspire to become an investor, as opposed to simply buying yourself a job, then you need to look at assets that generate enough income to hire staff. 

Most people will move away from the hands-on stuff as they accumulate money and can hire stuff out, but there's no law saying you have to. 

Is there a simple way to hire a firm that can check the financial health of a company that wants to sale their building and do a leaseback?

@Michael Lloyd A lot of times there are specific contractors that specialize in fire and flood rehab, just putting it out there as far as to what type of contractor to hire.

With all of the potential liability in leasing and managing, it is always best to consider hiring a professional management company but you are not required.