Wealth-drivers are appreciation, debt pay-down (ie. principal payments) and tax shielding.

Sometimes it's nice to get a new lease so that you can increase the rent right off the bat, but having tenants with a solid payment history is worth so much more to me.

I learned how much an escrow account check matters to your overall mortgage payment.

Depending on why you are evicting the tenant, Illinois has 3 different notice periods: Five Day Notice of Eviction The Five Day notice is only used for non-payment of rent.

Lock-out, should they continue to not come even, would be typically less than 14-days.Unless the tenant comes even with the rent (which would result in dismissal of the non-payment of the case), there is generally limited defense to this process.

House hack another property with a low down payment loan and use the remainder or the proceeds to either renovate or purchase another investment property?  

Since unless there is non payment an eviction will be tough, either way I want them both out  IF you really want them out - which I think is the right solution - then you will lose some money, it's just inevitable.

Social security number is definitely not required for non-payment for eviction in NJ.

Do you mind expanding on how you attained closing cost and down payment?

If they work independently, set their schedule, and use their resources, they might qualify as a 1099 contractor, but misclassification risks IRS penalties.Wages for W-2 employees and payments to 1099 contractors are both deductible business expenses, but compliance is key.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.