Quote from @Danny Gonzalez: @Paul CijunelisSo I’m not in the IL market, but I’ve owned a PM company for 5+ years, and here are some lessons I wish I’d known when starting out:1.Hire a VA Early: If you haven’t already, bringing on a Virtual Assistant is a game changer.

It was those 2022 delivered  projects where I became an accidental landlord that led me to focus more attention on building to researched housing needs rather than simply replicating the inventory other's bring to the market and it's been a game changer for me and my business. 

You are wise to limit your scope to a particular type of company.I have been in the industry for the past two decades, and from my years in the business, I can recommend a couple of other companies outside of my family. 

We added two firepits, multiple lounge areas, barbeque and eating area, stargazing chairs, yoga mats, games, large screen TV for movie nights, music and more.

@David ShirtsIn my experience, seller financing can be a game-changer, especially for properties with clear titles or when traditional loans aren't an option.

Refinancing game is tricky.

Would connecting him with a mentor or having him shadow someone in the industry be too soon?

I've tried a couple - truepeoplesearch, white-ages, property radar, leadsherpa, batch leads...Some services are better than others, but it is a numbers game and you also can cross check between different platforms.

Knowing this information will help you identify the right professionals to bring on board.At minimum, your team team should include:Financial Advisor: to help with investment strategies - portfolio diversification and risk management.Real Estate Agent/Broker: to help with property acquisition and market analysis.Accountant or Tax Advisor: to help manage financial records, tax planning, and optimization.Attorney: to provide legal counsel for contracts, agreements, and investment structures.Mentor or Coach: to offer guidance, insights, and industry knowledge.Networking and Relationship Builder (for everything else you will need): to connect you with potential partners and collaborators.

In Seattle, I am not going to play games as a landlord whether I am right or wrong.