The new mortgage on the new $340k duplex home which is an FHA loan is going to be a monthly payment of $2800 and we will refi ASAP (the current rate is 6.7%) when rates go down.We have done some nice improvements on the SFR and will be refinishing the wood floors before a renter moves in (July 1) so feeling like it's a great opportunity for the right long term renter and we plan to screen prospective tenants well.We are taking a $20k HELOC on the SFR for the downpayment and plan to pay that off within 12-18 months.

Grand Forks/Fargo are a bit beyond my reach.Any other thoughts/strategies for your neck of the woods this year?

@Frankie Woods have you found success in real estate out here in Albuquerque?

If the same person is willing to cut it down for free in exchange for the wood, I'd let them do it.

We also had an iron tub in the front yard that my mom would fill with water and put black plastic over to help warm the water, then a little hot water from the wood stove, and we would take turns bathing in the great outdoors.Rough stuff, but I don't recall ever being unhappy at that time.

The economy was "front loaded" first from '08' GFC inducing a massive clearing of "dead wood".

From the photos I see on the listing, it looks like it could need:-Removing wall paper and painting-Kitchen remodeling-Removing carpet - replacing with hard wood floors- Not sure about bathrooms (no photos )Note:Roof was replaced 2018 so that is good.HVAC is newWhat do you think?

The state gives them a paper license that they put on the back of their jacket with a pin, and then they take a sniper type rifle with a scope and they go out in he woods and they shoot the deer.

I'm assuming there is something like that in your neck of the woods or Chicago proper.

The 3 sty home (including finished attic) has a crawl and I can see the owner has tried to reinforce the bottom with wood planks running from the foundation up to the 1st floor.