It had the assessment at $647 a month which includes Gas, Includes Common Insurance, Includes Doorman, Includes TV/Cable, Includes Exterior Maintenance, Includes Lawn Care, Includes Scavenger, Includes Snow Removalhttp://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/3950-N-Lake-Shore...So, if you get it at auction at that price your expenses would bePayment $491Assm $647Tax $142$1280 monthly paymentI know the area well, I used to live at 3420 N LSD - for an 11x10 bedroom I would expect you to get $700 ish for rent.Also, with condos you have a limited exit strategy.  

HOA fees provide as follows: Water, Heat, Gas, pool, common insurance, scavenger, landscaping, elevator, tennis court, basketball court, parking, storage, laundry, clubhouse, snow removal, exterior maitenance, security door locks. 

I am from Maryland but operate in warmer states where there is no snow.

Mind you I haven't pinned down a potential purchase yet as I am 13 months away from making offers.Being that I am going to be an out of state owner, even though duplexes and triplexes are my preferred route for RE investment ( I own a duplex in Los Angeles), I am leaning towards SFRs where the owner will be in charge of things like water, snow blowing and general garden and yard upkeep. 

-Mow grass-Trim hedges-Shovel snow off sidewalk-Show vacant apartmentsDon’t: -Approve any vendor repairs without approval from owner-Represent yourself as an employee of the owner-Make any promises or representations to tenants or vendors without owner’s approval-Receive rent

But if you are operating your property through the normal course of affairs and someone is injured on your property because, say, your handyman does a bad job shoveling the snow in front of your apartment, it will be very hard for anyone to successfully argue that this happened in your personal capacity if you own the property through some corporate entity like an LLC.

Snow plowing, gutter cleaning, shoveling.  

Is the area landlord or tenant friendly*what expenses exist, in cold weather you find snow removable and other expenses*what type of tenant class do you want town with*type of unit single family duplex, apartments etcWhat price range if houses am I gOnce I found an area I liked I would look on zillow reviews for an realtor I liked.

Next best is end of April, snow is gone, summer kicks up and folks move.

$1,700 sounds low for lawn and snow.