I work in IT and I teach a bit of piano on the side.

You and your husband are definitely in the right place to get valuable information.

Quote from @Josh Lansberry: You will hear a lot of people bad-mouth him, but Dave Ramsey can teach you how to get financially savvy real quick.

Please share any helpful resources, your personal experiences, and what you have found to be valuable with every transaction.

Thank you all for sharing such wonderful resources and valuable information.

Without this foundation any money spent on gurus, courses, books mentorships that teach techniques and methods is WASTED, even if the methodology being taught is valid.  

Very helpful and valuable insight. 

I want to make this a valuable thing to my existing tenants.

It’s humbing and frustrating, but it also teaches you those guardrails you’ll want next time.. like thorough screening, a solid lease agreement that sets ground rules upfront, and maybe even setting aside a bit more cushion in reserves.Chicago’s got plenty of investor-friendly pockets.

Appraiser's learned a valuable lesson in 2008 when they were accused of being one of the causes of the great recession.