What is the recommended R-value to use?

They also have calculators to analyze deals, and I highly recommend you start this as soon as possible, even if you are not ready to buy.

If the machines are 15+ years old, I recommend getting a quote to replace them.

If that is a stretch as to your qualifications, I would not recommend this as it would with relative quickness go to the attorneys to move forward with drafting, inspections, title search, etc.

None of which I would recommend. 

I'm a beginner as well, but have been reading this site enough to see the recommended (over and over) approach is to leverage your presumably un-tied-down youth to move every 2 years, each time using 3.5% down payments to buy multifamily buildings / house hacks. 

We really took the bull by the horns on this one and patched our way through 😅 but I would LOVE some recommendations for a Tax Specialist, lender, and other important people throughout this journey!

I would recommend finding some local meetups to attend, and also tuning into the Straight Up Chicago Investor's Podcast.

This is when you hire a staging professional or staging company to come in, make recommendations, and do the work for you.

In most areas in San Diego, that is condos, town houses, etcWith that budget, I would be leery of recommending San Diego.