I would like to be hands off as much as possible.First post on here, so go easy on me please :P

On the other hand, families or older tenants might prioritize comfort and be less willing to compromise.Property Upgrades: Consider whether you have room in your budget to install central AC down the line.

Sounds like you have selected a PM that may not be fully hands on.

But if you need more cash in hand now and can handle the higher fees and reduced cash flow, option 1 could make sense.As for shopping around, it might be worth getting a few more quotes, especially if you think you can find something that combines the best of both worlds—a decent LTV and lower fees.Hope this helps!

My recommendation would be to actually manage the property for a year or two so you know first hand what it takes to manage a property.  

I think the biggest reason to join a group is not only access to the coaching, hand holding, and everything you're gonna learn, it's access to partnering with others in the group, and to have some type of accountability.I don't think there should be a group/program that just focuses solely on syndication.

Your cleaning crew is the absolute hands down most important part of self managing.

I always discuss what you're trying to achieve before hand and, if it makes sense, will ask for supporting documentation for a formal pre-approval.

The seller has a hired hand who handles snow removal, each property has trash and it's taken care of.

You can find great 2-4 unit buildings at reasonable prices (compared to New York City), and many of them need to be fixed up, which is an added bonus of equity if you are willing to tackle a renovation.I'd suggest somewhere along the blue line (train) in the northwest part of the city, where you can find some priceless neighborhood vibes.Plus, the real estate community is unmatchable...tons of people willing to give you a hand up.