If you don’t have money to buy a property… but, rather invest in a company… it’s a little different of a transaction. I’d approach it differently.

One aspect of owning RE is that there are certain advantages for the investor. An example is depreciation. You can shield an awful lot of income by depreciating property.

Whatever the investment decision that you make, research it a little.

The above sounds like you would have TIC ownership in the property which would entitle you to some of the RE benefits.
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Me, I’m a lender in FL and used to be a commercial re agent.

Also, I’m releasing a 1031 exchange site that does have TIC properties (or will) for investors:
http://www.1031store.com

You can see me at:
http://www.1031store.com/vips/about_us.php

On a larger scale, Redbrick Partners, LLC does something similar to what you are asking. They manage the first institutional-class funds in the U.S. dedicated to investing in single-family housing. From their website:

"Our core business is creating and managing real estate investment partnerships that allow individuals and institutions to invest in the equity of a diversified portfolio of single-family housing and related assets. These funds seek to provide strong total returns and a low correlation with equities and long-term bonds"
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http://www.redbrickpartners.com

as the baby boomers turn grey, they will also be turning to condos/apartments and houses will be in supply glut, causing prices to drop, early warning signs are the headlines you have been reading lately about the slow down in housing starts in the US
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As with most start-up businesses, you’re probably going to have to get started on your own capital, or borrow some money from family. The good news is, you may not have to do that, there are many great ways out there to get started in investment properties without pulling money out of your own pocket, just don’t think you can start tomorrow, you need to study and learn.

A great way to learn the ropes is go to your local community’s investors club, most decent sized towns have a group of R.E. Investors who meet regularly…you’ll find most of these types rejoice in other’s successes, because there truly is enough to go around. Also, as you learn how to find properties, you could offer to Bird Dog for somebody (find properties that the investor might like) who would take you under their wing and teach you the ropes. You’ll make a couple hundred dollars for each purchasable property you find this person, you’ll make his life easier, and you’ll learn a ton in the process.

Had I not found my dream job, I’d be doing this today. I have a friend who after 4 years of acquiring properties, had 40 rental units turning nice profits, he and his wife quit their jobs and got an awesome house in the country for about a 3rd of what it was actually worth (using principals he had learned). This was 3 years ago, no telling where he is today, but he’s obviously well on his way to being a wealthy young man (he’s not quite 30).
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