Unfortunately I'm in So Cal and looking at a hefty increase on the property tax.

The closures arrived at a time when Phoenix's retail market was tight, with space for expansion becoming increasingly rare.

Does Illinois have % increase limitations?

Once rates do fall, I think prices will definitely increase again as competition heats up with buyers re-entering the market.

When you research a market, does anyone strictly use reventure.app or propstream, or is it still important to visit websites that show things like population growth, crime rate, unemployment rate, etc.

The shorter the prepayment term has an impact on increasing the rate.4.

I would need to increase their rent (be reasonable) to cover the new costs. 

Prices increased dramatically and sellers know it.

Avoid lenders that want to escrow your payments at closing, this increases your cash to close drastically and, in my opinion, is not the best structure even for new investors.

On the one hand, I can see it as a positive indicator, for example of market health and increasing suburbanization.