Beyond that investors want a specific yield more than a specific amount to disclount.Back to your CFD, there are uniques issues with a CFD as Marc mentioned.

I have a property worth ~$30k that my aunt is willing to give to me for later payment. I can't get anyone to buy it outright, but they can put a few thousand down and pay me monthly rent. How will that work with taxes...

Just think about how to be unique when you are executing a strategy that MANY others are doing with almost the exact same message....

I'm new to the business, and looking for unique ways to acquire local investors...any ideas you could send my way, I would greatly appreciate!

That is 2 VERY different worlds so they will both have their own unique scope of knowledge.

There is no strategy that is so unique or informative or secretive that someone with a bit of creative thought, one with logical thinking attributes could not figure out having a good command of basic real estate practices.Now, I'll yield to marketing, yellow letters, advancing and promoting yourself, phone systems, the generic business stuff that is not really so much an issue in RE, or such hardly regulated areas.

The common theme I keep hearing is know your numbers and pull the trigger.

If you are going to the Parade on Friday, be safe. know there will be a ton of pick pockets so caution is the key word.As to networking, there are a ton of Chicago types on here, and you should hit up a few of the local REI Clubs.Here is a link for come clubs: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-clubs/illinois.htmlEach club has its own unique identity and "vibe" so hit a few and figure out which if not all that work for you.

The one reoccurring theme on the articles I come across is that they are picking up single-family properties.

This gives us a unique perspective.