@Jemini LeckieIf investing locally is not in the cards I would do some research and pin point a market that fits what you are looking for and then reach out in the forums for that specific market and ask more detailed questions.

And also, know everything about operating real estate, if you really want to know the risks: business plan, financing structures, ability to execute, market research to vet their underwriting assumptions, how fees can influence investment decisions...3.

@Douglas VarenasEven if someone give you a referral, what meets their expectations, may not meet yours.In our experience, the #1 mistake owners make when selecting a Property Management Company (PMC) is ASSUMING instead of CONFIRMING.It's often a case of not doing enough research, as they don't know what they don't know!

While I don’t plan on flipping the house, I intend to use the property for short-term rentals (STR), and based on my research, it seems like it will perform well either as an STR or a long-term rental (LTR).Any ideas on how I can source the financing or recommendations for better lenders would be greatly appreciated!

I am researching meet up groups here in the Chicagoland but, I am open to connect with others like myself (first-timers) and experienced investors over coffee!

@Darrius LloydTo start your house hacking journey, research neighborhoods with potential for multifamily properties and balance affordability with tenant quality.

Just do a little bit of research and connect with a great property manager.

When researching online, it looks there are some instances where non-vets can assume VA loans, but the veteran's entitlement would remain tied to the loan.How common is this and are there ever situations when this a win-win for both sides?

Some hard money lenders specialize in fix-and-flip loans, while others might have a more robust understanding of the BRRRR method.Would you like help connecting with others who've used Rehab Financial Group or researching alternative hard money lenders?

I've been doing more reading and research to learn about how these deals work to see if there's a way to save the deal.