We interviewed them when selecting our management company and got a good impression as well, but it was our first property and their operation felt a little too big for us (this was/is our first property), so we went with a smaller management company and it's worked out well.

There are literally hundreds of great books you can get (BP has a great selection here) and thousands of hours of great content on YouTube that will teach you everything you need to know.

I took them to court for over $20,000 in damages and unpaid rent.I feel that one of the ways I am able to optimize my SFH rentals is by being really good at selecting tenants, I will not ever do this again.

Use their knowledge to help you select the neighborhoods that meet your near term goals.There are plenty of opportunities out there, keep analyzing properties so you know a good opportunity when you see one. good luck!

If young people understood these concepts it would revolutionize rentals because a lot more units would come on the market offering way more selection (yes at a reduced price after a while but it wouldn't be much because people are lazy and stubborn and wouldn't embrace this much) and they could be financially free, really free, in just a decade. 

If you got selected in the lottery you have nothing to oppose. 

about 5 years ago, i completely withdrew my 401k to invest in real estate.I have no regrets.I paid the income tax and 10% penalty.The withdrawal allowed me to invest in real estate earlier and get real estate investment knowledge faster.The appreciation and cash-flow that I received from the rentals > 10% penalty, income taxes paid, appreciation that would have grown in limited selection of mutual funds.I now have complete control of the funds.Best of luck in your decision.

This could end up being another shade of the great SFR crash of 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023. 

While market selection is one of the most important parts of your investing journey, it doesn’t have to be intimidating.

Chicago has a TON of small multifamily available, so select your property carefully.