I would read up on the boom of the need on affordable housing

they did as I mentioned about 35 of these and of course there was little to no equity but unlike yours of negative equity theirs was just No equity basically and they figured 200.00 a month positive and boom they buy 50 and now they are living large on the 10k a month positive..

Not sure if higher purchase prices/rates have created this boom or if it's that all the new supply of rentals in Chicago is aimed at top end luxury *$3000 1br type builds etc. but rents have shot up on the north side.

If your focus in on that "great property", you're not an investor, you're a property collector. 

I've been an investor and broker for the last 10 years in FL and NC, and specialize in the mountain regions, and beach regions because that's where most of the tourists, and investors who want getaways, invest (certainly there are many other interesting markets to invest however, booming wine country for example..)To add to it, I love the environmentally responsible home building, that's something I've had an interest in for a while, and I've worked with several contractors and architects in the last few years to come up with a useful plan for alternative and environmentally responsible building materials. 

Also visit the City/Town Hall website for tax collector and assessor.

Boom - you just got your start. 

Boom!

Boom a wealth of knowledge.What I have learned?

Others boom and bust.