What does getting a NARPM designation do except signal to me that you're a PM willing to spend some money with an association? 

I didn’t change anything for my SFH except add an internal door so it is all legal.

This is typically lower than I aim for but using the proceeds from a 1031 that had massive equity, and given the desirability of this complex, I made an exception. 

The only real exception to that is contractors that have all their own subs, and the corporate homebuilders that bring in their own crews to do entire subdivisions.

@Zachary R Beale First off if I were you I would make sure I had little to no debt except for my student loans if applicable and potentially a primary residence mortgage.

I agree with some of the things Collin said (except for VAs, as we have 3).

We buy, renovate and rent and have a portfolio of approximately 14 properties (one of which is an AirBnB) and all are rented except 3 units that need final rehab. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been changing the world as we know it and the real estate industry is no exception.

Historically (with some exceptions), there were two categories of syndicators: (1) The Sponsors who would raise "friends and family" equity and (2) Sponsors  who would raise capital from family offices,  pension funds, insurance companies etc. 

I know you're looking to buy in the suburbs but I created a Chicago House Hacking Guide and the principles are overall the same.You won't find $100k SFHs in most suburbs around Chicago except the south suburbs close to the Indiana border.