We're doing these mortgage planning meetings on a daily basis.

In the past, the Department of HUD targeted S8 rents to be at the lower end of a rental market.

Knowing NOTHING about RE, my wife dragged me to a meeting in 2010. 

Also, per the images, a crack develops in the kitchen, on the other side of the house where the wall meets the ceiling. 

I am here to learn and meet new people and start my own investing portfolio.  

You could network through sites like bigger pockets or go to local real estate investor group meetings to make connections with people who could potentially be viable partners.  

We have people that apply that we reject because they do not meet the criteria. 

Zombie house, meet Zombie thread....

I suggest checking out some of the local Chicago meetups:  https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-real-estate-events-...I'd also recommend setting up some coffee meetings with some of the TOP TALENT in Chicago: agents like @Jake Fugman & @John Warren and property managers like @Mark Ainley & @Krystyna Schexnayder and lenders like @Jose Valdovinos & @Zack Karp.

They'll have to find a home they can afford, and then one that meets the guidelines (needs to be in good condition.)