A couple other neighborhoods I like besides the two you mentioned are Washington Park, Hyde Park, Woodlawn, and South Shore.I think that area will continue to be gentrified because you have the lakefront as well as CTA trains.Is there any reason you are targeting Chicago instead ofdoubling down in Kansas City?

From the public website,The BetterLife Tribe program offers everything you need to achieve real estate success:Monthly Calls with Brandon Turner and top real estate experts, providing you with insider knowledge and strategies.1-on-1 Personalized Coaching to tailor a growth plan specific to your goals and challenges.Access to the reiOS System of Success, the exact operating system Brandon used to scale Open Door Capital to over $1B in assets.World-Class Real Estate Education and Tools that equip you with the skills to dominate any market.A Thriving Network of 1,000+ Active Investors ready to support, inspire, and challenge you on your journey.Seems like a great program like many do in the marketing materials

Charleston, South Carolina's housing market continues to exhibit growth and competitiveness.

We do want to settle in a little bit here while continuing to do our homework, but hope to get into something in the next 6-12 months.With the way interest rates are looking now and what little I see on public listings, I think a smaller multi-family that needs a little rehab would be the best bet. 

I would highly recommend talking to Jeff Weller at Coast 2 Coast and Fernando Corona both are also PadSplit hosts but we're some of the first expert lenders .

This means that not only do we lose the unpaid assessments, but we may also owe the management company the continually increasing pile of late fees. 

Keeping your current townhouse rented enables tenants to continue paying down the mortgage while you scale.2.

Is it better to be  referred to one than to continue wasting time looking for one?

If you have to continue saving do that.

Do not continue on your own.For your next tenant, be sure you have strict screening requirements and do not waiver from those standards.