I too have a number of properties in South West Cook County I'm looking to appeal taxes on soon.

South West Michigan and North West Indiana is often referred to as "the Michiana Area," so if you have ever used that expression I want to know you.

I'm in Verona (just southwest) and I rarely venture as far south as Janesville or New Glarus for sales or investment opportunities. 

Great demographics, improving area, and it flies under the radar of the big money due to being southwest of downtown.  

Below is an article that talks about our "business model".http://www.reluctantlandlord.net/southwest-airlines-model-my-inspiration/

Hi Homer,Welcome from the other side of the state.....I'm in Southwest Michigan (Kalamazoo/Portage).

The descriptions will say "starting from the southwest corner of the northwest quarter section of the southeast quarter section of section 17 township 15 range 21, thence north 110 feet then east 88 degress 250 feet", etc.

I was wondering if anyone had any referal suggestions for wholesaler-friendly title companies in the south/southwest suburbs of Chicago, or anywhere around that area?

I don't know where to start with this one.Both the landlord and the tenant are complete idiots.While in my experience the attitude ("I don't have the money to move so I won't pay the rent and save money that way") of the tenant is all too common...The ignorance of the landlord (not paying her mortgage and expecting the tenant to perform differently) is just as common.Being a landlord can be a very profitable experience... but to be a successful landlord you had better learn the business and excute with precision.Just for fun you can see what how a landlord handled a similar situation in Southwest Harbor Maine earlier this year...http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/585/blog_posts/5275-dead-beat-tenants-one-way-to-inform-the-world

They were, after all, one of the greatest offenders among the "banksters" who ADMITTED causing the crash of '07 / '08 through imprudent lending and other bad financial practices.Out here in the far southwest suburbs of Chicago (Yorkville, Plano, Oswego, Montgomery), we're seeing quite a surge in housing starts.