In Chicago, there are quite a few buildings with illegal garden units, and I thought it might be possible to live in one of those while I'm trying to make it legal with the city but would that be against FHA guidelines or conventional loan requirements?

You could put the garden hose in and see if it drains nicely.

This property was rehabbed in 2018/2019 with renter grade finishes (laminate counters, new flooring, etc)Property #2 - 1 bed/1 bath garden unit rented for $990; 3 bed/1 bath unit rented for $1515 (about 1100 sf).

Hi,Just 2 stories (garden level and 1 unit above)  probably looking to finance around 150k. 

Winter Garden, where I live is becoming very expensive but those other areas IMO the timing is right, as in right now!  

Looking in the Tower District and Fig Garden areas for absentee Landlords who are ready to sell. 

Maybe they are okay to be watched while they work in the garden but don't have the leadership, knowledge, math, connections, skills...

Not one to revive old threads but if you still need advice, I would go with a Potsdam toilet garden. 

I was interested this place:https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/12140-Garden-Grove-Cir-UN...It looks decent, but then I noticed the condo fee of  $469/mo.   

I asked what they paid for it and they said $4,000 - I asked what DD did you do and they said the county tax value was $6,000 so I was getting a deal… I asked him if he was a Gardener as maybe grow some veggies on it but other than that it’s useless and no one will buy it