Hey Bigger Pockets community, I'm just starting out in Step 1 (get educated) on what I want to become a successful career in real estate investment.I also currently run an e-commerce business that is currently completely online, but would benefit from having a brick & mortar storefront, and I had an idea that maybe using the investment capital I'm looking to allocate into real estate into a commercial property my business can operate out of until I decide to sell the property in or rent it out to another business.I am obviously very naive when it comes to the complexity of any good real estate deal (especially commercial VS residential), but I'm hoping to spend as much time learning from everyone here who is on their journey as well.My main concern with the idea of buying commercial to operate my business out of it that I might struggle to rent it out afterwards and that there may likely be depreciation in the commercial real estate market over the next 5 years.I understand there is a lot of nuance depending on the local market but I'm guessing commercial is even less of a "safe" bet than finding a solid residential deal to leverage in some way.

If Anyone has additional information on the Chicago market right now and some insight Id love to talk. 

Frankly, if you don't keep track of what you spend for business, real tax strategies is not your problem at the moment.

Next, arrange a site walkthrough to pinpoint any additional needs or potential challenges.

However again if your bound and determined to buy the physical assset then you need to buy quality not C class.. you will NOT get consistent cash flow like you are thinking your will. you will have tenants stop paying you will then get NO rent for 2 to 6 months as you evict and then spend thousands rehabbing the house they just trashed..

Contact a couple contractors to see what the cost would be to add the addition.

Here are a few additional ideas that have worked for me and others in competitive markets like Austin:Off-Market Leads from Contractors: I had a friend who rehabbed a house in North Austin last year.

Planning to start a complete home remodel (interior/exterior) on a home (currently 837 sq ft), kitchen and bathroom bump out, and add an additional bathroom. 

He may have to eat those additional expenses if he can't prove he had approval prior to doing it.c.

I recommend you spend some time picking and getting to really know your market.