Hey Jason - if it's a 1-4 unit, you would need to value it based off the sales comp approach (assuming the buyer is using debt financing).

Wanted to revive this post and check to see if anyone else has additional information or input on rental in Cahokia, IL / Cahokia Heights, IL . . .

I would never buy a STR if the deal didn´t have either of the following, in addition to making sense as a STR: A. an obvious pivot (LTR, MTR) as my safety net if the market moves against me or B. have some additional RE benefit that would make it a deal using a different strategy ex.

You’ll want to check if your specific work falls under their home improvement contractor licensing, or if there are additional local permits required depending on the county.

College used to be a lot more affordable, I studied in Europe (where college is free) and it blows my mind to see kids with 200k student loan debt trying to get ahead on a 50k job.The housing market has started to drift apart geographically.

My advice would be to partner with someone who has additional funds so you can buy something that is of quality. $8k won't get you anything in a class B or A market with 20% down or even 10% down. keep going though!

Eliminate debt, establish a budget, and save.

People carry too much debt and even if the debt was forgiven or paid off, incomes don't match affordability. 

If the marginal cost increase in buying a house that can be house hacked (a house with a basement, a duplex, etc.) is less than the rents you expect to bring in from renting the additional space, why not do it?

Here's the breakdown of rental income and expense analysis:1.Annual Gross Income: $25,800 (Monthly rent of $2,150 x 12)2.Annual Expenses: $25,800 * 0.40 = $10,3203.Annual NOI: $25,800 - $10,320 = $15,4804.Annual Debt Service: $10,680 (Calculated previously using a mortgage calculator with a loan of $131,775, 7.25% interest, and a 30-year term)5.DSCR: $15,480 / $10,680 = 1.45 (approximately)