The market is too volatile for that.And yes, you will want to figure out an investor friendly RE attorney in your area and get the contracts from him.

I love my career but it is in what can be a pretty volatile industry at times.

I would also add that areas with higher volatility tend to yield bigger gains and losses as the market moves.  

If the carrier's investments aren't performing well in a difficult or volatile market, then they're more likely to raise premiums to offset their losses.

I think maybe Upland or closer to Ontario you can get a SFH for a similar price and I havent seent them have the volatility in price that I've seen on the condos.

The good income history is from him holding another job.Now he is new into his own business which could sink or swim and is highly volatile starting out with the income stream.So if I saw a potential tenant that worked at a job for 6 years and had excellent credit but now lost that job and I newly self-employed I care about what is going on NOW.The foreclosure wouldn't bother me in the least as many people are upside down on the house or only one spouse is on the loan and the house will still be under water in a few years.

Isn't the real estate market volatile enough that there are no sure wins?

The commercial real estate and commercial real estate taxes in Chicago can be a bit volatile, so I personally don't like single use commercial use spaces. 

This situation seems a bit volatile right now.

This business is very volatile and the competition is fierce to say the least not to mention trying to find and keep good help.