and in my experience they'd rather leave a property vacant than sell for less than what their neighbor got. 

I was going to ask if you considered renting the property until the market picked back up.

Quote from @Trent Reeve: Quote from @Jay Hinrichs: Quote from @John Underwood: At our 3 bedroom Lake House we have both.At our 6 bedroom Pigeon Forge Cabin we have 2 drip coffee makers and don't have a Keurig.So I agree it depends on your property. seems to me coffee pods would be much cleaner and easier on the host ? 

The reality is that imposing expensive and time-consuming sprinkler installation requirements will drive property owners to either scale back necessary renovations or avoid permits altogether.Currently, when owners propose substantial renovations, they are often informed that their projects will require sprinkler systems, which can cost around $45,000 for a typical three-decker.

I would sell that property in IL and chalk it up to a learning experience.

ADU construction is not 1:1. meaning investing 250k into your property by ADU will likekly not increase your property value by 250k.

Happy to connect or take a look at your property to see what it may be able to rent for. 

These areas have more affordable properties compared to Boston and are showing signs of growth, especially with infrastructure and job opportunities increasing.

Does anyone have experience with buying rental or STR property there or have a connection there that I could speak to?

Purchase price: $115,000 Cash invested: $42,000 Sale price: $168,000 Unfortunately, we bought this property as a buy and hold property, and our research led us to believe that this neighborhood was up and coming not in a bad area of Jacksonville.