Many factors play into determining value, not many comps would have such a facility, the style as adapted to the home is considered, the functional utility as a residence may be less as well.I'd first call your zoning people and see if 5 or 6 kids requires a zoning variance.Having daycare services or other business activities in a residence is possible with conventional loans, but you can cross the line depending on the perceived liabilities of a business, any significant modifications to a property, public access and other aspects can cause financing issues.

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

We've pretty much made it turn key.A former client of mine is a broker who is very investment oriented.

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.

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.