Screening prospective tenants is almost an art form.

LLCTell us about the property: Quantum Laundry Lounge - A state of the art laundry facility/ coffee loungeHow did you decide on tasks and delegation?

The art of the deal by Trump is good, (we talking money not politics).

I agree that learning the art of sourcing off-market opportunities will serve you very well--both now, and in the future...whether you perceive the market to be competitive or not. 

My situation:I'm a Concept artist at a video game company, with a few side gigs that primarily involve art.

Chicago is a great place to live, work, offers higher income options,  world class entertainment, fine dining,  theaters,  arts, etc. 

I would listen to the BP Podcast with Thach Nguyen on how he knocked on one hundred doors a day , five days a week for ten years and that got him one million USD per year from that ACTIVITY.Make sure you dont miss the part where he says one home seller let loose a dog on him and he had to get attention at the hospital from the bite.I would also pay attention to the Tom Hopkins Champion formula to embrace rejection on pages 110-125 in his book Mastering the Art of the Sale.Especially the part where he says , you are paid for each rejection you getThen TAKE ACTION, make the calls, follow up leads, ask for referrals, make offers, buy properties, choose your exit strategy etcin making calls i would attempt to incorporate "negative phrasing" as taught by Steve Trang, to locate buyers, sellers, private money lenders.I would also set a saving rate as taught by Anthony Robbins from book Money, master the game, becoming of an investor, taking advantage of the power of compounding I would also keep in mind the 10000hour rule from Malcom Gladwell's book, Outliers reminding myself that attaining world class takes commitment

It discusses the art of neutral thinking and overcoming challenges by getting to the truth to determine action.

But, what I am drawing as the most important lesson in all of your advice combined is that this is a business, and it needs to be run as such (no kidding Art, duh!)

My first inclination is to buy a big tub of red devil spackle and artfully slap it in there with a few spackle knives of different widths, but I know that's not the right way.