Specific styles you prefer (single or two story)?

Go to both, they are hugely different and you may not like one or the other, but only way to know is to go to both and see which one fits your style, needs etc better.Here is a link to the clubs: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-clubs/illinois.html

Please note these were the cellular style, not sure how they stack up with other styles but the quality was excellent and price-wise they beat several of the .com blind stores I checked in addition to HD.

I like your style!

Though there is no "hood" in Sherman Oaks, the exact same style/value/rate properties show up on rental search engines in both Long Beach and Sherman Oaks.

Is it possible to buy an apartment building portfolio, and sell a few of units to individual (not create a CO-OP style sale), which the individual do get deeds etc.

What are the risks (environmental problems for one) and is the seller warrantying the property?

I bought a simple cottage style plan online, got a local architect to slightly alter the foundation and seal the plan, and set to work with a shovel digging the foundation.

Say I do a small mail out campaign to absentees and find a seller in order to find the same house style I want, but for as cheap as possible.

If I decide to go forward, I think a smaller, mom & pop broker would be more my style.