I have the classic conflict about this though.

Keep in mind this was a general meeting, not specific to any given deal, so that could be usurped by the classic "we have 15 site unseen offers and if you do not submit one now we cannot show you the property in time" situation.Based on my experience thus far the company may offer a valuable service.

here you had a total dichotomy living in a 500k plus home in the mid 90s and re purposing ceral box'sEating out is expensive i get my fill when i am on the road..

This is a classic FUD statement from CPAs that try to justify their high price for preparation.  

That legacy is clearly visible today as one walks downtown, with its many repurposed mills as modern residential units and canals surrounded by restaurants and nightlife. 

Especially if the brick is well done with dog toothing/corbels/herringbone/basket weave or other rare classic features.

However you do have the opportunity to look at a 1031 exchange which would indefinitely defer all of the tax on that $240K gain.Selling one larger property to use the proceeds to purchase several smaller properties is a classic 1031 strategy called a diversification exchange. 

Matt, If you are looking at historically built properties such as your classic bungalows, 2-flat and 3-flats in Chicago, many of those properties were built well before the modern zoning code was established.

  :)  If you have some other way to get into the house, the classic solution is to cut yourself a piece of 2x4 that you can wedge in between the jamb and the sliding part to "lock" it from the inside.My residence probably originally had a sliding door on the back, but it had a French door installed later. 

I was trying to explore some of these ideas when I dived into the history of property search in a blog post I published, but I'm curious to hear more thoughts from the community here.That idea is too classic LOL Actually in the other thread I am asking similar tone.Here's my idea :1.