BiggerPockets also has a calculator to analyze deals, and I highly recommend you start this as soon as possible, even if you are not ready to buy.

At my age, I wonder if it’s too late to "get rich slow," as is the case with most real estate investing.I’m curious: is there a section of this website or a community that focuses on late-start investors?

I am a general contractor that specializes in kitchen remodels and high end custom cabinetry, but I'd like to use this project to pivot into more general contracting and property development. 

Tons of help from highly skilled RE agents! 

The penalties are just too high. 

This is where you can significantly increase the value of the property by making improvements that attract quality tenants and justify a higher rental price.

In high barrier markets, rents have gotten stronger but not the double digit growth we had seen, which was an anomaly.  

Haha I bet there's been some crazy stuff out there but the one's I'll put up will definitely of better quality and insulated.

Taxes : Taxes have been a brewing crisis nationwide for sometime, Chicago is another prime example of a major municipality struggling under high debt load.

I do direct booking through the Houfy website, taking credit card payment by Square.