I definitely don't recommend renting to a friend.

I would recommend consulting with a tax professional to gather more details to confirm this based on your situation.

If you are looking for more appreciation and can afford to cover a few hundred dollars a month of negative cash flow then I'd recommend looking at Gilbert.

If you are priced well and the condition is great barring there is not a ton of supply, then you will sell quickly!  

My recommendation is to partner with th someone who has a lot more experience before jumping into a syndication after owning one property for less than a year.

To start your journey, I recommend focusing on building your network by joining meetups and engaging in online forums, while narrowing down your first investment based on your budget, market, and goals.

I see that you recommend NOT having my mom deed the house over to me in order to borrow against it.

Investing in Wisconsin and Illinois is a great move—both states offer solid opportunities for multifamily and single-family rentals.If you’re looking to connect with like-minded investors or agents, I’d recommend joining local real estate meetups or REIA groups in the areas you’re targeting.

I would recommend having the property assessed for any damages—were the windows or doors damaged during the forced entry? 

Any recommendations for starting strong would be appreciated.