I've personally found the bulk of my Chicago purchases off the MLS.

Personally I consider it to be more of a entry level neighborhood for first time home buyers and a blue collar neighborhood for long term renters.

They seem to be trying to use a PMC model designed for Class A properties/tenants for Class B, C and sometimes D.Can't use the same business model for all classes of properties/tenants. 

It does have Power dialer and when leads come in, I know it's from that person that integrates with my CRM.

And technology aside, this business hasn't changed much in the last 20 years.

You’ve already got mortgage and taxes in mind, but here’s a quick framework I personally use to ensure no costs are missed:1.)

Your new place should turn into your new business location as well. 

In my experience (personal & w/clients) the wife usually doesn't want to pick up and move too often to stick with a strategy like yours.

My only reply here is to say to simply focus on the business objectives.

All I can say is that when an investor is the person who's doing the job that a real estate broker is commissioned to do, per state law, that's brokering without a license, which is no bueno and shouldn't be allowed.