Sears has a outlet with deeply discounted appliances that have a scratch and set in a place you cannot see.

That way, I can at least afford on my own to cover the mortgage payment if the property is vacant for an unexpectedly long time.

Will the rent cover all your costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance) plus extra for unexpected things (repairs, vacancies).You will probably get a lot of different answers on here because there are so many different types of investors.

If you are using hard money you need to budget for the points and fees as well as traditional third party closing fees.Repairs: The money it is going to take you to rehab the property plus an extra 10% of estimated repair costs to account for unexpected repairs.Holdings Costs: Here is where a lot of investors get tripped up.

As of late I have become a bit jaded with the business, specifically dealing with architects and clients, which is a major source of inefficiency. e.g when a simple design decision takes over a week to make it tends to slow things down a bit:) I do love building and it is a satisfying creative outlet for me.

That's right-that unexpected turn in leverage.

It was quite unexpected, but from what I’ve read, not unheard of in Chicago.

Some conduit outside and both of the 800 sqft units got a new panel, 5 in wall heaters, 2 fans, basic fixtures (not recessed lighting) and outlets to code.

If you don't know these terms, look them up, it's the best way to learn.Know too that financial ratios do not always apply to real estate because real estate is not a liquid market like stocks, you also have unexpected and unknown carrying costs that don't apply to say stocks or bonds.

Check the condition of the roof, siding, windows, pavement, lawn, deck, porch, driveway, garage door.....walls, floors, light fixtures, switches, outlets, furnace, AC, pipes, stairs...