I call for permission. 

You can do all the prequalifying from anywhere via credit check, call references, verify income etc.Make sure you have a handy person, ac person, plumber, etc etc that you can call when you need some work done. 

I actually had to make calls to fix the heat and broken doors and connected with the tenants 1 on 1.

Make sure you have adequate reserves to cover unexpected emergencies.3) Time-intensive - If you live on-site you're a live in property manager on call 24/74) Legal issues - know the max occupancy laws for your area.

@Shuvrajit Mukherjee - You have to be able to scrape that data from some where pretty easy...a lot of that property specific info is public record.There is a website called chicago cityscape...I am decent friends with the founder....it is sourcing a ton of data that might help. 

Additionally, is it reasonable to request the current leases and what I believe is called the rent rider form (please correct me if that's not a real thing) prior to making an offer?

Has anyone had any experience with a company called Atlas Rental Property?

I'd be more than happy to jump on a Zoom call / phone call with you to discuss more and answer any questions you have! 

This guy is new here, so I don't know; however, I feel like you're going to get a DM asking to set up a call...hope I'm wrong.

I use a combination of their messaging tool and direct messages/calling.