If you have your own business/self-employed you might qualify for a Solo 401(k) or multi-participant 401k whereby you can self-direct into real estate with those funds. 

@Avani PatelFor my flipping business, I prefer to use fewer software programs to streamline things.

You will have spent real money to get financial reports that likely show a combination of mismanagement (but likely not illegal) and general inept business decisions, which still won't get you money.I am sorry you had this experience.

Shaq doesn't get half the credit he deserves for his business savvy.

Since you're so close to Loyola and not too far from Northwestern, I imagine you might have a pool of people who need temporary furnished housing while they study, do a medical rotation, or travel in the medical industry.

(Like I think Craigslist is still one of the best websites on the internet, but for some people it's a total turn-off because it still looks like 1995).Capterra.com is a great site for research in this category (and business software in general). 

I’m looking to get started in the fix-and-flip business and have a few questions.

Somewhat unrelated, but I do not allow BiggerPockets to do business with partners who require their clients to sign agreements or otherwise agree to terms that prevent them from leaving what they feel to be honest reviews on BiggerPockets.

Open a business credit card and do your renovations on that (for things that you cannot get financed with a hard money loan).

When you have a duplex and tenants on both sides stay for ten years, it almost guarantees that something isn't right.I would study your market and determine the value of your rental, because I bet you are losing money every month.