I currently have a family member dealing with "okupas" in one of his investment properties and he is been fighting it for well over a year to get the property back. 

I hope bookings continue well for you

I'm finding that this strategy is helping people, building repour with people, and continuing to keep business moving forward while some say it's hard and sit on the sideline to wait until there is mass movement.Appreciate your time and reply and good to hear that you're experiencing some similar action a couple hours' drive away. 

I’m committed to keeping my options open and continuing to learn about being a landlord to ensure I’m well-prepared for my first purchase.To improve my ability to analyze deals, I’ve developed a two-part plan:Join a local BP meet-up group to discuss my goals and support others.Continue learning and engaging with the BP forum.Thank you again for your guidance—it’s truly appreciated!

The exact amount of rent on Jan 1 will depend on whether your notice of the increase was handled according to the lease or not, but you may not want to risk providing her with angles to fight you in court just over a few dollars.

If you allow this to continue, they will only get worse over time, and your losses will increase.I suggest you hire an attorney.

Better to keep rent 5-10% below market, but keep a tenant long-term.If you can handle all this, you MIGHT be ready to be a real estate mogul.Otherwise, you may want to get out of your own way and hire a PMC to manage your property better.Let us know how this goes before you continue dreaming about anything else:)

Hey Hey @Veronica Mitchell - The most simple advice is to follow the CTA trainlines.I personally love the South East Corridor of Chicago which has Bronzesville, Kenwood, Washington Park, Hyde Park, Woodlawn, and South Shore.That area will continue to be gentrified because you have the lakefront and CTA trains.Others mentioned NW along the Blue and West along the Pink, Green, and Blue lines.

This is also (historically) where the best appreciation is, and our growth continues to feed that well past the covid boom.

Although I don't have much experience in this field yet, I am passionate about real estate and hope to continuously learn and grow in this industry.