The ARV was believed to be around $235k so my agent told me to try to stay all in around $176K.

If you believe your property’s assessed value is too high, you have the right to challenge it.

From what I have tried to read from a non partisan site (tough to find nowadays) I believe the issue has been insurance companies lost billions in the past five years and the past 5-10 years have had the most costly fires ever.

@Drew Sygit & @Adam Bartomeo,  we're experienced investors and I don't believe our expectations are out of whack.  

To be honest, I have been really happy with the person who has been helping me, but there's an issue with capacity because she is a full-time employee somewhere else and I believe a single mom. 

Not sure which way to turn.Thanks,David I believe banks prefer a W2 over a 1099 as it is typically more consistent income where you have an annual salary or paid rate of hours that is more consistent.

I have never been shy of facing challenges and I truly believe knowledge is power (something my grandfather taught me at a young age)I really want to learn everything there is to learn about realestate and am driven and hungry.Thanks in advance for any suggestions or recommendations.

I believe he just sends his guys in and tells them fix whatever needs fixing and take as much time as you need with no checks or balances. 

I love that you have specific goals for 2025 - I believe if we think it, write it, say it, and share it our goals are 10x more likely to come to fruition.Are you able to do option 2 and just house hack a 2-4 unit building and use a renovation loan which allows you to put down 3.5-5%I highly suggest getting to some local chicago meetup groups (we have an in person one on the 17th)...here is BPs list: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-real-estate-events-...I also have a full list of the chicago meetups that I can share with you too if that'd be helpful.

@Spencer Cornelia can't believe i missed this part. i was actually browsing youtube and came across your channel, small world!