There are opinions on these forums and people have a right to them and people may take it as criticism. real estate is not a business where everyone is friendly and just as you have shown from whoever was trying to scam you and has nothing to do with doing your best, its about being educated before moving forward. 

Then if in the US you have to find a friend of theirs to get their contact info.    2.  

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@Jonathan Small government actions have led to an unprecedented 40% increase in the money supply, 50-year record inflation, record increase in interest rates, bank failures, credit tightening, CRE recession, housing affordability issues, mobility issues, inventory issues, and massive impacts to the world economies, every investment class, and our families, kids, and friends like never before. 

Illinois is tenant friendly state.

I like how some people have said change the word “mentor” with “friend”.

My wife's friend's husband is a handyman who has a lot of experience.

Get a friend/relative/co-worker to rent a room from you?

I highly suggest you use our marketplaces to find trusted, investor-friendly team members: Tax Pro finder: https://www.biggerpockets.com/business/finder/tax-and-financ...Lender finder: https://www.biggerpockets.com/business/finder/lendersProperty manager finder (if you go that route and don't self manage): https://www.biggerpockets.com/business/finder/property-manag...

Best decision I've ever made. 4-6% average annual appreciation rate, stable job growth, population growth, drivable to the Bay Area, close to Lake Tahoe, no state income tax, 4th lowest property taxes in the Nation, much more landlord friendly than CA, land constrained meaning limited supply, etc.