I really just want to break the ice here and then potentially expand.

Having said that, yes, Illinois has the Snow and Ice Removal Act.  

I am always looking to keep the seller engaged and break the ice so they will divulge some form of motivation, considerable sale price, life situations. 

I consider anything else to be icing on the cake.Thank you!  

Avoid fridges that have water/ice hook-ups.

Alright folks, I finally have my Ice Breaker Post on BiggerPockets - to you Josh and Brandon I've invested (VERY slowly) in real estate via MLS purchases since 2011 .

Note that everything is fair game if you leave it accessible - Fine china, memorabilia,  heirlooms, even your favorite ice cream or personal hygiene items (your shampoos, hair products, brushes, etc are fair game if they are not locked away in the house, Replace them and hide away the stuff you wouldn't want to be used by someone else or broken.7.Make sure you have somewhere to go on short notice and for days at a time.

After that level of wealth, everything else can go to luxury spending, which is just icing on the cake, but certainly not worth working a job that you don't like for!

@Brie Schmidt I have some duplexes and I put in everyone's lease that they are responsible for keeping the lawn trim and snow/ice clear of walkway and steps.

For me, appreciation is a must and cash flow is an icing on the cake.I bought my primary residence in the $400s 3 years ago, and homes in my street with similar square footage is unloading quickly in the $600s.