I will also strongly encourage accessibility for pets as well. 

I have access to contractors, lenders, and have a very strong balance sheet, so just need to find the right deal and get access to comps.

A guru called this gator lending but I would strongly advise against borrowing funds for a down payment.

I think real estate is very forgiving (1) over the LONG term and (2) if you're well capitalized / in a strong financial position. 

Detroit has a mix of affordability and strong rental demand, with properties under $200k that can cash flow if approached correctly.

Right now, I’m focused on building a strong foundation in real estate by expanding my network and learning strategies for sustainable growth.

The tourism demand is strong year-round, especially in beach towns like Panama City Beach or Destin.

I have a friend who is a banker locally, he's seen business bank numbers for 40 years...he know what makes a strong business client and when it is a weak business with some good years.

City-Data and Census.gov are solid resources, and sites like Rentometer can give you a good sense of rental prices.After that, I narrow it down to neighborhoods with strong fundamentals—good schools, low crime, and convenient amenities.

Here are a few additional strategies that might help mitigate risk if you decide to rent the property:Hire a Strong Property Management Company: While you’ve already spoken with some PMs, consider finding one with extensive experience managing single-family rentals in Cook County specifically.