I’m at the very beginning of my REI journey and I would love some guidance on how I can best optimize my planning, research and saving phase (which I’m dedicating 2025 to).

.✅ Hands-On Experience – If you plan to grow your real estate portfolio, managing tenants yourself can teach you valuable lessons about leases, maintenance, and local rental laws.✅ More Control – You’ll personally handle tenant screening, rent collection, and property upkeep, ensuring everything is done to your standards.✅ Stronger Tenant Relationships – Being involved directly allows you to build rapport with your tenants, which can lead to better communication and longer leases.Cons of Self-Managing❌ Time-Consuming – Dealing with maintenance requests, late-night emergencies, and tenant disputes can quickly become a second job.❌ Legal Risks – Chicago has strict landlord-tenant laws.

I’m just currently in the planning phase to see what the best path going forward is.

However, the fact that your tenant intends to pay $800 through the app while their rent is $1,200 raises questions, it’s worth clarifying whether they plan to pay the remaining $400 separately and how that affects both of you.Before signing up, consider reviewing the app’s terms, checking online reviews, and confirming how quickly payments are processed to your account.

@Anita Z.I recommend finding an accountant who specializes in real estate taxation, tax planning and financial planning.

My plan was to purchase a lot and build a foundation, bring in a doublewide/manufactured house. have it placed on foundation and have a structural engineer reclassify it as fixed real estate. then, I would refinance. 

I have 2 properties i'm planning to purchase and wonder how is the crime and rental market in there. your response is much appreciated

And don’t skip the due diligence—inspect everything and plan for unexpected costs.Take it one step at a time, and you’ll do great.

Would love to hear your plans. 

Right now, I wouldn't be doing anything with operator as it's $200 a monthHowever, very soon it will be coming to the $20 a month plan.