The main difference between a REIT and syndicated real estate is that a REIT consists of several income-producing properties bundled together like a mutual fund.
They have prior real estate experience with underwriting and do due diligence on real estate.
The sponsor does a lot of the legwork involved in finding the deal and putting it together.
Investors act as Limited Partners (LP) in the syndication and play a passive investor’s role. They invest with the syndicator and own a percentage of the real estate based on each investor’s amount.
The Joint Venture (“JV”)/Equity partner is a third party present in some transactions. They assist the syndicator with reporting, communications, and even tax documentation.