How I Built a $10,000 Passive Income Stream Through Real Estate Syndications

By Alina Trigub

How I Built a $10,000 Passive Income Stream Through Real Estate Syndications

What if you could earn $10,000 in passive income every month without ever dealing with tenants or property maintenance? For me, real estate syndications have made this a reality.

In 2023, my portfolio of syndication investments generated over $10,000 in monthly income, providing financial freedom and peace of mind. Having invested in far more than 25 syndications over time, with multiple successful exits, I’ve seen firsthand how this strategy can deliver life-changing results. If you’re curious about how syndications work and how they can help you achieve your financial goals, let me walk you through my journey and the key steps to building a successful portfolio.

What Are Real Estate Syndications?

At its core, a real estate syndication is a group investment. Instead of buying and managing a property yourself, you pool your money with other investors to purchase larger, more profitable assets—like apartment complexes, self-storage facilities, or industrial properties.

As a passive investor, you provide capital while the sponsor handles the acquisition, management, and eventual sale of the property. In return, you receive a share of the profits.

Step 1: Start Small, but Think Big

When I started, I had no idea I’d eventually invest in dozens of syndications. I began with one multifamily deal, investing $50,000 with a sponsor specializing in value-add apartment complexes.

The deal projected an 8% preferred return and a total annualized return of 15% over five years.

Here’s what I learned from that first deal:

Analyzing Deals: Understanding market fundamentals and projected returns.
Asking the Right Questions: Vetting the sponsor, the property, and the exit strategy.
Compounding: Reinvesting distributions into new syndications accelerates growth.

That single deal laid the foundation for scaling my portfolio.

Step 2: Build Trust with Sponsors

The sponsor—the person or team managing the investment—is the most critical factor in syndication success. Here’s how I evaluate sponsors:

Track Record: Have they successfully exited deals with the promised returns?
Transparency: Are they upfront about risks, fees, and performance expectations?
References: I speak to other investors about their experiences with the sponsor.

Over time, I’ve built relationships with sponsors I trust, who consistently deliver strong results.

Step 3: Diversify Within Syndications

Diversification is a powerful way to reduce risk and enhance returns. My portfolio spans multiple property types, markets, and sponsors:

Property Types: Multifamily apartments, self-storage facilities, industrial properties, medical office buildings, retail centers, and even niche assets like student housing and senior living facilities.
Markets: High-growth areas like Texas, Florida, and the Carolinas.
Sponsors: Working with multiple operators ensures I’m not overly reliant on any single sponsor.

This strategy has helped me weather market fluctuations while maintaining strong overall returns.

Step 4: Reinvest Your Returns

Reinvesting is the secret to scaling quickly. Over the years, I’ve participated in multiple syndications that successfully exited, often exceeding projected returns. For example, one project exited with a 20% IRR after three years. I reinvested those profits into two new syndications, doubling my opportunities for income and growth.

This compounding effect has allowed me to scale my portfolio to dozens of syndications.

Step 5: Leverage Tax Benefits

Real estate syndications offer incredible tax advantages that boost returns:

Depreciation: Offsets much of the cash flow, often reducing taxable income to zero.
Cost Segregation: Accelerates depreciation on certain property components, further minimizing taxes.
1031 Exchanges: Allows me to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting profits into new properties.

For instance, on a $100,000 investment, depreciation could offset $20,000 of income, significantly lowering my tax bill. A CPA who specializes in real estate has been invaluable in maximizing these benefits.

The Results: $10,000+ in Passive Income Every Month

In 2023, my syndication portfolio generated over $10,000 in monthly income. This financial freedom allowed me to:

Spend more time with my family.
Pursue passion projects without financial stress.
Build a legacy for future generations.

While income from syndications can fluctuate year-to-year based on market conditions and sponsor performance, my diversified approach, reinvestment strategy, and successful exits give me confidence in the portfolio’s long-term growth and stability.

And the best part? It’s completely passive. My trusted sponsors handle everything—management, tenants, and operations—while I enjoy the returns.

What’s the Catch?

Syndications aren’t without risks. Markets can fluctuate, and sponsor performance is critical. Syndications are also illiquid, meaning your money is tied up until the property sells.

That’s why due diligence is key: research, evaluate, and ask questions to ensure each deal aligns with your goals.