As a buyer your docs don't typically need any notary or witnesses, so there is no need for the consulate.  

I emailed the following report to the building management via their online service portal:Subject: Flooding in apartment on 26 May 2015/ Carpet Removed & not ReturnedI am following up on the flooding that occurred in unit #1905 on the morning of Tuesday, 26 May 2015.As witnessed by security guard on duty (D...) and the concierge on duty (A...) quite a bit of water entered the apartment due to what should have been a sealed area of the window and the wall - not an open window.I was told that maintenance would be coming to inspect this and to caulk this area.Please let me know when they will be doing this - especially in light of the fact that we are approaching hurricane season.Finally, as also witnessed, my rug was soaking wet due to this flooding.Hence, it was removed from my apartment and I was told that it would be cleaned.It is almost a week now and I have not received my carpet.

I've never witnessed a crime in Chicago(other than very minor crimes like people with an open container).  

Like I said I am wanting to move to the next level and any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am at wits end.

Would it be safer to have an attorney draft the paperwork every time I put a property under contract (who is a better witness than your attorney?).

I witnessed this first hand when I visited a friend that lives In midland an noticed the new homes in the area.

I could give you inputs on hard construction costs, and perhaps build it with you, or witness them on the side?

@Joel W.  It

The reverse is also true as we've witnessed many folks go belly up in low income areas while others have done great in good parts of town.The most common theme we have found is that unsuccessful investing results from (1) overpaying, (2) over leveraging, and/or (3) mismanaging.Successful investing comes from many different avenues (eg, wholesaling, flipping, buy and hold, turnkey, etc.).The best way to avoid the 3 sins of unsuccessful investing is to ask for people's opinions of specific situations (just like you have done above!).  

Thank you BarbaryElchinn for the idea wit the linoleum.