THANKS Your local credit union might be your best bet.

I feel like I need to stay local (Greater Cincinnati OH)2-4 units.  

Personally have not seen anything I believe is legit (but I only invest locally).

I’ve had to widen my search radius to smaller suburbs or target properties needing light cosmetic work to make the numbers work.Value-add opportunities: Adding amenities tenants love, like finished basements or upgraded kitchens, seems to justify rent premiums in this market.Navigating the competition:Be creative with financing: Seller financing or partnering with other investors has been helpful to secure deals when conventional offers didn’t cut it.Work with local agents and wholesalers: They often have their finger on the pulse of off-market opportunities, which is critical in a hot market.For those new to suburban Chicago investing, I’d say the key is finding the “sweet spot” neighborhoods—ones on the rise but not yet maxed out in price.

Accessibility and local knowledge above everything else. 

A customer of mine happened to be a local real estate investor and he owned the land next to my business. 

I am happy to hop on a call to share more of my local expertise and if you're still looking for professional property management, I can talk to you more about that.

I'm sure some local banks will do higher especially with a strong relationship but don't think I will fall into that category.

It’s likely to at least pay for itself or help the property sell faster.Talk to a few local agents to confirm how much buyers in the area value a garage.

Consider your investment strategy—house hacking, turnkey rentals, or real estate syndications—and start networking through local meetups or BiggerPockets forums.