3) Special Assessments - Back in 2010 and 2012 there were some material special assessments totaling ~$10,000.

That is true with almost any material item.

(Currently our rebar supplier is behind 2+ weeks and these materials were ordered 45 days in advance). 

That means their pricing tool is designed to price beneath the rest of the market, which drags the entire market down, especially when combined with their algorithm changes a couple years ago that made pricing (IE lower prices) the #1 factor in ranking.Even if you use an external pricing tool, it gets dragged down by the people using Airbnb's pricing. 

The changes that have occurred in the past year is making sure the comps are truly there, getting the material costs down (or accurate) number with changes all the time on costs. 3.

I know lots of installers don't do it, and I personally prefer the unimpeded look, but anything installed outside of the requirements of the material is probably going to be limited, i.e. the insurance company is not going to pay you because the material was not installed according to flooring requirements. 

Learning how to use the correct tools and materials for a job, YouTube videos and even ChatGPT will help you get through 80% of the problems you will run into.My rule was I would not mess with HVAC, plumbing and electrical Or if it would take more than a few hours. 

The Agreement should have a clause that buyer can cancel without penalty and with full refund of the security deposit if the signed letters are not returned to it by a certain deadline, or if subsequent tenant notifications materially change the economics of the deal.

Every investor has their own path, and hearing different perspectives will only enrich your journey.Challenges in Real Estate Investing:Finding deals: In competitive markets, it can be tough to find good deals that make sense financially.Capital and financing: Finding funding, especially as a new investor, can sometimes be challenging.Dealing with tenants: Managing rental properties and dealing with tenants can be tricky, especially with issues like late rent or property damage.Market risk: Real estate markets fluctuate, and external factors (like economic shifts or local development projects) can impact property values.I’d be happy to continue the conversation if you want to dive deeper into any of these topics!

While the cost can vary depending on the scope, zoning, and materials, I’ve seen similar projects run anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000, depending on factors like plumbing, electrical upgrades, and structural work.If you’d like, I can connect you with a few contractors or architects in Chicago who specialize in basement conversions.