You need to contact the IRS to ask for a Federal Employer Identification Number or FEIN.  

Contribute to the Roth IRA and investThere may be other, better steps in between, depending on benefits available through your employer (ie, if you're healthy, is a High Deductible Health Plan/HSA available?).

The technology is there, but it is hard to find hvac installers in Chicago who "get it" since heat pumps are not common here yet. 

Areas like Central West End, Soulard, and The Hill are popular and have strong rental demand.Property Management: If you plan to rent out the property, consider hiring a property management company, especially if you’re not planning to live there full-time.Market Trends: Stay updated on local market trends, such as employment rates, population growth, and development projects that could impact property values.St.

Cost Segregation is a commonly used strategic tax planning tool that allows companies and individuals who have constructed, purchased, expanded or remodeled any kind of real estate to increase cash flow by accelerating depreciation deductions which can defer state and federal income taxes and increase cash flow.When a property is purchased, not only does it include a building structure, but it also includes all its interior and exterior components.

I assume we'd start on 1099 basis at least for a while until we feel stable enough to offer employment. 

The most common in simplest form that has been deemed as most passive is a simple, long-term rental.If you have not purchased a property for yourself, yet, I would highly recommend getting started with house hack, and learning that way.

common sense tells me it would be the same thing, but can't find any concrete info on this. 

She proceeded to fill the entire common entry space with decor, message boards, side tables etc.

This is so common sense, I am embarrassed I didn't think of it.