Chicagoland is extremely tenant friendly so understand that going in. 

Eliminate debt, establish a budget, and save.

However, SEP IRA contributions require earned income from active participation in a business or trade.Our goal with posts like these are to increase awareness of all the options that may be available to them, like this one.

I was just discussing this with a friend a couple days ago.

.- Suggest you try to network with other landlords in your area, check MeetUp app and others.Your other option is to hire an attorney, but understand you will have to pay them for your ignorance.

Also would like to know of any local credit unions with portfolio lending options.

If you have the ability to pay cash for the flooring it would be the cheapest option.

I invest in Boise, ID and do quite a few BRRRRs, LTRs and STRs- varying degrees of success depending on how much equity we can force and the type of back end financing we can find, but the tax benefits are great and it's a rapidly growing market and Idaho is probably the most landlord friendly state in the nation. 

Eliminate debt, establish a budget, and save.

I'm in Columbus Ohio. this mostly applies to 2-4 units used as Airbnb properties within 2 miles of urban core  I have a few friends in Columbus. most do MTR now.