You can say it had to be cut urgently and try to get them to reimburse you after (may not be successful but at least the danger to your tenant will be gone and you won’t be sued by the tenant).

I know some folks that are successful with STR's in Tulsa.

There are a lot of variables to consider so it's impossible to say if investing in one of those other markets would have been "better".However, I think you could make a stronger case that you have been (or would be) more successful with your real estate investing in Chicago compared to other markets.

Being new to this process, it seems a regular referral form won't work.

The only exceptions I can think of are a lack of experience frustrating your financing process or where the GC has such a well established brand that a buyer will pay a premium for a home built or renovated by that particular contractor.

@Scott Shumardi can't answer your question, but here is my recommendation.  1. start going to meetups and find out which HMLs the successful investors work with. 

I am currently in the process of filing lawsuits against all of these tenants on behalf of my clients, and I am hoping we can add criminal charges onto the civil suits.

My question is what is the market like down there for successful rentals?

Jonathan, just to clarify the process: After I get seller under contract t, I then find the end buyer, and the second contract is between the agent and the end buyer.

Screening tenants well and then a security deposit or credit card hold process in place will limit liability.