You know, I love this question—it’s such a classic debate. As a dad who’s all about creating something long-lasting for the kids, you’re probably weighing how to grow wealth in a way that’s not just profitable but also manageable. Let me break it down for you: apartment syndications are hands-down a better move than trying to build a portfolio of single-family rentals (SFRs). And I’ve got seven solid reasons to back that up.

1. Scaling a Single-Family Portfolio is a Time Suck

Building a portfolio of SFRs isn’t as simple as buying one rental and rinsing and repeating. Each property is its own transaction—new contracts, new inspections, and new financing. If you want, say, 10 houses, that’s 10 separate headaches. Not to mention, they’re scattered across different locations, which can make management a logistical nightmare.

With an apartment syndication, you’re buying into dozens or even hundreds of units in one fell swoop. It’s like one-stop shopping for cash flow and appreciation. Instead of acquiring properties piecemeal, you’re pooling your money with other investors to buy one large property. It’s a single transaction, but you’re getting massive scale instantly. It’s hard to beat that kind of efficiency.

2. SFR Portfolios are Management Heavy

Let’s be real: managing even one rental can feel like a second job. Tenants call about leaky pipes at 2 a.m., lawns need mowing, and there’s always something breaking. Multiply that across several properties, and suddenly you’re juggling repair schedules and tenant issues left and right.

Now, with apartment syndications, professional property management is baked into the deal. You’re not the one taking calls about a broken HVAC system—it’s handled by a team whose sole job is to manage the property efficiently. For a busy guy like you, who’s already got a full plate with work and family, this hands-off approach is a game-changer.

3. SFRs Have Higher Vacancy Risk

Here’s a scary thought: if you own a single-family rental and it’s vacant, you’ve got 100% vacancy. No tenant means no income, period. Multiply that across a portfolio, and vacancies can eat into your returns real quick.

In an apartment building, even if a few units are vacant, you’ve still got income coming in from the others. For example, if you invest in a 100-unit building and 10 units are empty, you’re still 90% occupied. That kind of diversification smooths out the ups and downs, making your income far more predictable.

4. Financing SFRs Gets Tricky

When you’re financing single-family rentals, most banks cap how many mortgages they’ll give to one person. Some lenders might cut you off after 10 loans. Even if you go the portfolio loan route, lenders scrutinize your debt-to-income ratio and the cash flow of each property.

On the other hand, apartment syndications rely on commercial loans, which are based on the property’s income, not your personal financials. This means you can scale infinitely without worrying about hitting some arbitrary lending limit. And let’s be honest: what business does the bank have poking into your personal life, right?

5. SFR Returns Don’t Compare to Economies of Scale

Single-family rentals have a ceiling on profitability. If you want to improve cash flow, you can raise rent slightly or cut costs—both of which have limits. But with apartment buildings, the potential for increasing the property’s value is huge. Why? Because they’re valued based on income, not comps.

Let’s say you invest in a 50-unit building, and the property management team finds a way to raise rents by $50 per unit. That’s an extra $2,500 a month—or $30,000 a year. Since commercial properties are valued based on their income, that small rent bump could increase the property’s value by hundreds of thousands of dollars. You don’t get that kind of leverage with SFRs.

6. Maintenance Costs are More Manageable in Syndications

One of the biggest hidden costs with single-family rentals is maintenance. Think about it: each property has its own roof, plumbing system, HVAC, and yard to maintain. If something big breaks, like a roof, you’re footing that bill solo.

In an apartment syndication, those costs are spread across multiple units. Plus, large properties often have reserve funds built into the budget to handle big-ticket repairs. When you’re sharing the cost with other investors, those surprise expenses don’t hit as hard.

7. Your Time is Worth More Than You Think

Here’s the kicker: your time is one of your most valuable resources. As a dad who’s already balancing career and family, do you really want to spend your weekends fielding tenant calls, overseeing repairs, or hunting for your next deal?

With syndications, you’re leveraging other people’s expertise. The syndicator handles the heavy lifting—finding the deal, securing financing, managing the property—so you can focus on what matters most: spending time with your family and enjoying life.

The Research Backs This Up

If you’re thinking this all sounds too good to be true, let’s look at the data. This 2025 study from CBRE (https://www.cbre.com/insights/books/us-real-estate-market-outlook-2025/multifamily) shows that multifamily properties consistently outperform other real estate asset classes in terms of returns and stability. Another report by Roofstock highlights how single-family rentals tend to be more vulnerable to market fluctuations due to their dependence on comparable home sales.

And don’t forget the tax benefits. Multifamily properties allow for accelerated depreciation, meaning you can reduce your taxable income faster than with single-family rentals. This IRS resource gives a good breakdown of how depreciation works. (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5653.pdf)

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, it comes down to this: apartment syndications let you scale faster, reduce risk, and free up your time—all while delivering solid returns. Single-family rentals might seem like a great entry point, but they’re a grind, especially if you’re trying to build a portfolio.

So, if you’re serious about creating lasting wealth for your kids and still having time to hit the road in your dream car, syndications are the way to go. It’s a smarter, more efficient path to financial freedom.

What do you think—ready to dive into a syndication deal? Or should we grab coffee and chat more about it?