I want to get into real estate investing...

[DannyTheGreat]

I doubt Trump has the most reputable name in RE- too many failed ventures. I couldn't tell you what motivated lenders/ investors to spend money for such a work of abstract art. I believe a rock solid plan (which may be a business plan for large buildings), utilizing the best and brightest for the job, is enough to convince lenders or investors to do anything.

[markoarko]

If I were new into real estate investing and interested in commercial real estate, and had no money as indicated in the original post,

I would capitalize on my sense that successful real commercial developers are no longer willing to do the "heavy lifting" of scoping out new development sites, talking to people on the "street level" etc.

Having time on your hands and a thirst for learning about the commercial business in my opinion is a good currency to have people at many levels help to teach you parts of the business.

This experience you develop will become valueable for other investors and may reveal joint venture opportunities.