NEWPORT BEACH, CA-An improving market is causing syndication of real estate investments to increase. The uptick has manifested itself this year in the form of newly established LLCs, private REITs and venture funds, according to speakers at a recent Sperry Van Ness broker forum here titled, “OPM (Other People’s Money): Syndicating Commercial Real Estate Investments.”

According to Burton Young, principal and founder of SVN Equities, who gave the first presentation at the forum, his 20-year career has included more than $1 billion in syndicated transactions. His advice? “Work with people that are aligned to your personality and interests, people you like to work with, because the relationships you create with your investors will become lifelong partnerships.”

Young also discussed how the current market is the best time in the cycle to invest in real estate. “The worst is behind us. Our group has not seen this good of a buying opportunity in years.” He added that his firm is seeing deals at a 9 cap rate with 50% upside outside of California, which is where the company’s attention is focused. “This is the time you will look back on and say I should have bought.”