@Jay Hinrichs Yes, series A investors of some sites were VERY interested in the ones that could crack the development nut.  

Is this strategy nuts?  

Where the city used to be a few houses with many fruit orchards...it's now the opposite.

"Pre-foreclosures" as they are described as, drive me nuts!

That interest can be a contractual interest (you have the property under contract) or you actually own or have title to the property.A wholesaler in a nut shell puts property (normally distressed property) under contract and assigns or resells the property to another investor.

You can say that I am reaping the fruits of my labor.

it's nuts...but that's another story.

In a nut shell,,, Here's the deal, most likely the ads or signs you noticed in Chicago where from someone affiliated with Chicago Business Development Group.  

I figured I'd run the rubber up under the tin to avoid ice dams.15' of rake needs to be replaced.I'm contemplating renting scaffolding for a month and just going to town, perhaps doing some molding/rake repair and painting, as well as a bit of pointing up while I'm up there.Anyway, am I nuts to be thinking this way?

That's nuts Ryan!