Common Types of Assets in Real Estate Syndication (Multifamily, Self-Storage, Retail, and More)
Real estate syndication offers investors access to high-value properties that are often out of reach for individuals to acquire or manage alone. But not all syndicated deals are created equal—and the type of asset you invest in can significantly affect your risk profile, return potential, and overall investment strategy.
At Assemble Capital, we specialize in real estate syndications that target asymmetric return opportunities—where upside potential outweighs downside risk. Understanding the strengths and tradeoffs of each asset type is essential when evaluating where to place your capital.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common asset types used in syndication deals, how they perform, and where Assemble Capital chooses to focus.
1. Multifamily Properties (Apartments, Duplexes, Small-Mid Scale Complexes)
Overview:
Multifamily is one of the most popular and proven asset classes in real estate syndication. These include duplexes, fourplexes, and larger apartment complexes.
Why Investors Like It:
Built-in diversification through multiple units
Steady cash flow from rent
Economies of scale in operations
High demand in urban and supply-constrained markets
Risks:
Tenant turnover and management complexity
Local rent control policies and regulations
Assemble Capital Focus:
We target infill multifamily opportunities in emerging LA submarkets—especially areas undergoing gentrification or densification—with strong rental demand and room for value-add improvement or ground-up development.
2. Single-Family Development
Overview:
Less common in large syndications, but ideal for niche sponsors, single-family homes can be built and sold for capital gains or rented out for stable income.
Why Investors Like It:
Lower entry cost compared to large multifamily
Strong buyer demand, especially for new construction
Simpler resale compared to commercial assets
Risks:
Slower scalability
Heavier reliance on local housing market trends
Assemble Capital Focus:
We specialize in building design-forward luxury single-family homes in high-demand neighborhoods of Los Angeles. These are often executed as strategic spec builds or build-to-sell models with targeted upside.
3. Self-Storage Facilities
Overview:
Self-storage is an operationally simple asset that performs well in both good and bad economies. Units are typically rented on a month-to-month basis.
Why Investors Like It:
Low maintenance and capex
Recession-resistant
Strong cash flow and NOI margins
Risks:
Location-sensitive (too many nearby competitors can hurt occupancy)
Zoning and permitting challenges in urban cores
Assemble Capital Approach:
We do not currently invest in self-storage, but we monitor this asset class as an alternative for diversification when economic conditions favor defensive assets.
4. Retail Centers (Shopping Plazas, Strip Malls)
Overview:
Retail was hit hard by e-commerce and COVID-19, but well-located, service-oriented retail still has a place in many portfolios—particularly with syndication sponsors targeting value-add repositioning.
Why Investors Like It:
Long-term leases with national tenants
High income potential from anchor tenants
Opportunity to reposition with experiential or mixed-use components
Risks:
Market volatility tied to consumer trends
Longer lease-up and repositioning timelines
Assemble Capital Approach:
Retail is not a current focus of our strategy, but we occasionally partner on mixed-use projects where residential drives value and retail provides supplemental income.
5. Industrial & Warehouse Assets
Overview:
Fueled by e-commerce, last-mile logistics, and supply chain reshuffling, industrial real estate has grown rapidly in investor popularity.
Why Investors Like It:
Low vacancy and high tenant retention
Predictable cash flow from long-term leases
Minimal management overhead
Risks:
Higher cap rates (and potentially lower appreciation upside)
Heavily location-dependent
Assemble Capital Approach:
We do not currently syndicate industrial projects, but we track this asset class closely for potential joint ventures or diversification opportunities for our LP base.
6. Office Buildings (Class A, Medical, Co-Working)
Overview:
Office is undergoing a major transition in the post-pandemic world. While high-end, Class A buildings in core markets still attract tenants, the future of traditional office space remains uncertain.
Why Investors Like It:
Long-term leases with credit tenants
Opportunity for repositioning or conversion (to residential or creative use)
Risks:
High vacancy and tenant turnover in uncertain markets
Capex-intensive improvements and TI packages
Assemble Capital Approach:
Office is not part of our current strategy due to macroeconomic headwinds and shifting tenant demand. We may consider redevelopment projects where office is converted to residential or mixed-use.
Which Asset Type Is Right for You?
It depends on your:
Risk tolerance
Timeline
Income vs. appreciation goals
Comfort level with volatility or complexity
At Assemble Capital, we focus on asset types where:
There is real market demand (not just trend-based hype)
We can add measurable value through design, location, and strategy
The return profile favors LPs with strong downside protection
Let’s Build Smarter Together
Whether you're new to syndication or expanding your portfolio, understanding what type of asset you’re investing in is just as important as who you’re investing with.
At Assemble Capital, we offer access to high-performing, thoughtfully structured real estate opportunities focused on residential assets with strong upside in prime LA markets.
Explore our offerings or schedule a discovery call with us.
