This also, inherently, makes the good operators harder to find out in the wild.

Is there a good opportunity hidden somewhere in here?

Legally, anything called a deposit is inherently refundable.

Happy to chime in here. 

While she is trying to get it up and running her mom died and subto people stepped up to help get the house ready for the new renters in her hour of need. 

It’s great that you’re jumping in. Here

An architect will be able to answer those questions and perhaps be able to identify other physical and economic obstacles that won't arise when merely approaching this through the lens of whether you can obtain a zoning permit.

You have great advice in here.

We should give them the benefit of the doubt considering somewhere along the family line we were all immigrants and these people may just want to have a better life for themselves and their families.With that said, there are a few things to consider:-What market are you in? Here

Hey there @Hart Turner - I am in for sure.I know for sure that @Mariah Pierce and @Princess Subijano-Cannataro are from Chicago and heading down to BPCON 204.Hopefully, we can get a few others to jump in here, too.Elgin, Wicker Parker, Aurora, Illinois, Logan Square, Lincoln Park, Bronzeville, Schaumburg, Irving Park, Lakeview, West Town, Belmont Cragin