You cash flow with $50k homes with strong management with strong planning and you will make a lot more money then waiting for a guest to give you a ****** rating on STR sites.

I personally have not done any deals there, but I know that rentals are strong in that area around Oak Lawn, Alsip, etc. 

It's a great rental market with strong cash flow.

Also, as you highlighted the tenant base is highly reliable, with strong employment, security clearances etc.

Focus on properties that will have a strong rental market and a clear path to increase in value.Overleveraging:Some investors refinance and pull out too much equity, leaving them with little to no cash flow.

Be sure to attend your local REI meetups to build up a strong network and check out the forum topics specific to your goals.

Smaller renovated Lakewood two families (less than 2000 sq ft) can be bought under $200K (sometimes under $175K) but rents potential much lower (e g $900 vs $1200 a unit)Clifton Edgewater (west of West Blvd, north of Detroit) and Kamms (area just south of Lakewood) along with Lakewood have always been strong areas and are priced at/near Lakewood (and to some extent share the same tenant base).  

Align yourself with several investor-strong agents or long-time agents with tons of connections.

@Shaan WashingtonAtlanta's outskirts offer affordability, growth potential, and strong rental demand.

@Cory MeliousGiven the clear lease addendum and initialed acknowledgment of the rules, you’re in a strong position to recoup at least part of the repair costs from these tenants.