@Russell Brazil  I agree with Russ totally depends on what kind of real estate.. keep in mind that when you ask this on BP 90% of those on this site will gravitate to the only real estate is rental either sfr or small plexs or MF.. there are many many other types of real estate .take for instance in my mind one of the safest and most passive is investing in land in the path of progress.. pay cash and hold it.. nothing to it.. over time if you buy right or you buy a timber tract with middle age marketable timber species like Doug Fir or white pine  west  East  … these are very solid long term safe investments that you just make and sit and wait.some of the biggest money made in real estate though is land in the path of progress.. this keeps you immune from the ups and downs and risks of tenants.. 

Keep in mind many mom and pop landlords are very hands on.. and have to collect rent in person.. and as stated above it all depends on your location and tenant base.. like west coast tenants by and large you could automate them.. lower end C D tenants no way.

@Michaela G. maybe a little of both as who would ever thing West End homes would easily sell for $300k+.

Prime West Mortgage does RMLO services state wide I think.

West Loop, Pilsen, Fulton Market.Honestly, I don't see why anyone who doesn't live in Chicago would want to invest in Chicago.

Innerloop west. 

Most anything west of the river is ok to me.  

If you have an interest in the Hamilton, K-W-C , Barrie, Toronto West, or general GTA commercial/multi-family residential, then I have people to recommend as I've researched local agents for people I have been helping with their start in real estate investing.If you do start to invest in the Scarborough to Durham corridor, I have a set of trusted trades that I use and am happy to share because giving them more business helps me.I can relate to your being a securities investor first who is now looking into real estate. 

As you can see there is no shortage of columbus agents that can help you. we posted two deals recently for two different duplexes we are trying to sell. one is in hungarian village and the other is in harrison west near the short north. check out those on the marketplace, you can find them by going to my profile and looking at recent posts. 

Personally, I am a fan of South Buffalo and the West Side.