I have a list of them that I can share with you.Chicago, without a doubt, has some downsides, but there are also a lot of positives, like the inventory of older multi-family properties and price points at all levels.Investing out-state can be challenging because of the distance and the need for boots on the ground that you can trust 100%.

Another must have requirement is to have positive cash flow.

Reach out to a loan broker with your exact info and the exact or at least type of property you want to buy and they should have options and opinions. 

They're not stuck as in "there are no other options", they're stuck as in "there are cheaper, crappier options but we'd have to pack up our entire lives and deal with the other expenses/headaches that come with moving so I guess we might as well just suffer with the increase". 

Mostly people with minimal RE experience are adding a single ADU and they often make that choice based on cash flow without taking into account the negative equity position.  

And the really messed up ones, they don't even give a landlord an option, per fine print in contract, they just go out and do whatever and send a bill after the fact. 

If the rent stabilizes, I can then consider refinancing these properties using DSCR or other valid options (please educate me, and let me know what other options you think are valid).

I haven't worked with anything but hardwood and tile in recent years but would prefer a cheaper, waterproof option if it looks decent. 

It can be a great option as families combine and parents or grandparents need less space, need to be closer to family but still want their own unit.

We were thinking about this now because it's hard to find good deals in our price range, so thought it might be easier to put it into a bigger deal but sounds like that's not such an option.