I see you've had the property on the market for a while, which must be frustrating, but what will it take to put a transaction together?

It looks like you are doing an affordable build based on the cost but hard to say since you didnt provide info on the build itself such as square footage and finishes.

I've been self-employed for only 6 months, and loans are proving difficult to come by despite my great credit (not to brag, I'm moreso frustrated and seeking help).

Here’s a breakdown of some top areas:Cash Flow-Friendly NeighborhoodsWest Charlotte: Known for affordability and strong rental yields, West Charlotte offers opportunities in single-family and small multi-family properties.Gastonia: Just outside of Charlotte, Gastonia is a great spot for investors seeking cash flow.

This is a very frustrating situation.

Pre-construction homes, which could build $50-60K in equity within a year or two.I can afford a 20% down payment, but I’m torn between focusing on equity (pre-con) or cash flow (resale).

In Houston, you can either invest locally or explore strong Texas markets like San Antonio (affordable duplexes, strong job market), DFW suburbs (duplex-friendly zoning, growing economy), or Houston suburbs (Spring, Cypress, The Woodlands for good schools and tenant demand).

I wanted to start with a cheaper property I could reasonably afford and also learn from.

Richmond’s affordability compared to other VA cities, along with a strong rental market driven by VCU and a diversified economy, makes it a solid option for long-term appreciation.For multifamily investments, I recommend focusing on these emerging neighborhoods, as they offer both rental demand and potential for property value growth.

@Matt Smith - as @Christopher S. mentioned you cannot use an ADU unit in Chicago as an AirBNB as the city's intent with the program is to provide additional affordable housing.