Please chime in if you're from the area too, so we can know who's still around! 

The idea is simple: purchase a property, live in one part, and rent out the rest to offset your mortgage or even generate profit.

I am thinking of that being one of my next big projects if the community is wanting it. 

I am from the Chicago area and looking to purchase my first property in the next 3-6 months. 

The next gentrifying neighborhoods in Chicago are: Lower West Side; Humboldt Park, Gage Park, Ashburn, South deering, Hegewisch, Garfield Ridge & West Elsdon.  

I'm a fan of using the HELOC to help purchase new property.

Here are some tips to help you start on the right path:Education Is KeyInvest in yourself first by reading or listening to books and podcasts about real estate investing.

I may explain that while I’d like to buy/finance/invest in his property, I need to earn a certain return on my invested capital for the given amount of risk, and if not able to earn the return on the subject deal than I will on the next deal.  

Hello everyone, I am reaching out to the BP Community for suggestions.My Portfolio100% owner of 7 SFH PropertiesGP in about 30 SFH properties(of which I own somewhere between 25% to 50%)All but two properties are managed by a PM CompanyNet worth of the above is about $2,000,000 - $2,500,000My IssuesI have many SFH's - Which take up time(Currently spending time paying property tax and insurance, requesting quotes on insurance policies and overseeing the PM Company(approve rent increases, approve renovation projects, etc).They also take up head-space(having to remember property addresses, remembering when property taxes are due)(I have reminders/systems but something I would like to reduce)Goals1) Spend less time on Real Estate2) Free up head-space2) Make $240,000 annually from real estate(Which I think is not to hard if I can increase my net worth and can get an 8% return)Possible Solutions1) Sell all the SFH's and buy 4-Unit Properties to take advantage of conventional financing2) Sell all the SFH's and buy one large apartment complex3) Sell al the SFH's and invest in syndications4) Sell all the SFH's and purchase stock / bonds5) Continue to hold all the SFH's6) Any other suggestionsOther Considations1) Should I consider private notes?

Any tips for navigating the competition in such a hot market?