I have strongly considered managing on my own in the past. 

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.

not in columbus ohio they don't care about the environment. we are building 7 houses at a time and there's nothing in the way all of this year. new deliveries and prices are very strong. maybe blue states but not something we have to worry about in our local market. land is a buyer's market in most areas too.

If you're looking for strong appreciation, Dallas and Houston are great markets.

If you’re set on a duplex with minimal rehab, an investor focused agent should have a strong network of contractors who can give you quick quotes, so you don’t wind up with any pricey surprises.

Seeing your intro is a breath of fresh air.. what's your next step in building a strong investment network?

Hi Steven,It sounds like you and your wife, Renee, have a wealth of experience in the real estate and construction fields, which is a great foundation for starting your real estate investing business.Given your background in residential remodeling and home inspections, and Renee's experience as a real estate agent, you're off to a strong start.

Instead of buying at today’s inflated prices, I develop from the ground up, creating built-in equity and higher cash flow from Day 1.If you’re open to new construction, Columbus has great zoning options and strong rental demand.

Most who fail  buy C/D real estate without strong fundamentals.

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.