Did anyone start real estate investing with apartment complexes instead of SFH/triplexes etc?
I've been researching REI for the past year pretty extensively and recently have gotten into commercial investing, specifically apartment investing. I know there's some people out there that like to start investing with single family homes, or something similar to "get their feet wet". I'm pretty intrigued by CREI though so I'm thinking of jumping into that. I still have 2 years left of med school where I'll fortunately be graduating with low debt, so I plan on reading and talking with people until I graduate then get into it as soon as I can. 

I'm sure some of you have jumped right into commercial investing, what's your story? Thanks in advance.
[{"id": "fvemld7", "text": "People tend to start in the SFH, duplex, etc space first because it\u2019s much easier to obtain financing for them. Generally, on commercial loans most lenders like to see some form of prior experience which makes it very difficult to jump straight in on your own.", "replies": [{"id": "fvep2dk", "text": "Ah that makes sense. So if you own a few quad plexes that would count as experience, correct?", "replies": [{"id": "fveqbod", "text": "Yeah absolutely. I\u2019m pretty sure even participating in a syndication would count as experience. Obviously you would have to ask your lender about their requirements.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fvfh49f", "text": "I started with a 4 unit building. \nNo regrets.", "replies": [{"id": "fvjre3p", "text": "I imagine you've grown since? If so, and i know the topic is beat with a stick already but did you just go straight to a commercial broker or how'd you find the next deal? \n\nI'm just at about that point where id rather a bigger units than SFRs", "replies": [{"id": "fvjuall", "text": "I worked with an agent who focused on residential multifamilys. I met him through the local real estate investors monthly meeting. I bought two 4 units with him and then I became licensed.", "replies": [{"id": "fvjuham", "text": "word. I've got my license as well. Just never dabbled into the commercial end. (ive yet to actually hang my license and use it but keep it up to date)", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fvfjarc", "text": "6-units back in 1999.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fvg0y69", "text": "An important part of this question should be how much you have to invest. Most people don\u2019t start with $5-50m investments. Cheaper apartments exist but are much more rare.", "replies": [{"id": "fvgatgf", "text": "You bring up a great point. I obviously won't have much to invest right out of school. But I was thinking of contacting other investors to come up with money with me, assuming they will since I'll have little experience. I have no problems buying duplexes, triplexes, or quads, commercial just seemed really exciting and challenging.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fvhynfg", "text": "In our area (SFBA) R4 starts $2.4M, Apts are reserved for the very affluent often over $12-$25M.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fvhyw48", "text": "This is not to say SFH is much cheaper. In Oakland, CA freq riot neighborhoods these real older SFH starts about 900K need 20% down in all cases.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fvpbqk6", "text": "Yes but I\u2019ve got partners who have varying levels of experience. \n\nWe develop though so a little different. My partner that does our GC piece has 20 years exp. two of my partners are RE brokers. My background is commercial law and one of my partners is in asset management (commercial but his family does residential).", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]