Real estate investing can be as complicated as you’d like it to be. There are a million and one ways to do it, and all require some amount of education and due diligence.
Crowdfunding platforms have made it easier for outsiders like me to have access to deals that used to be for insiders only with a lot more capital than is now required.
With debt deals, you act as the bank. You agree to lend the borrower (often a fix and flipper) money at a set rate of interest.
An equity means that you participate in the upside, that you’re essentially a part owner in the property.
If it’s a syndication deal involving new construction like the development of an apartment, office, or retail space, the payment structure will likely be completely different
As an investor, you buy shares of the REIT. The REIT earns income from the properties and makes distributions to investors.