Quote from @Nova Dear: Hello,Was hoping to get recommendations for insurance sources in the Chicago area.

I have a duplex in Vanier, (plus a triplex in Nova Scotia).

I would be very interested in talking to you about where you are currently in the real estate game in Nova Scotia as I am 25 years old and trying to pursue a lot of the same goals. 

We use Nova Credit to screen them.

You would have to analyze if it's better for you to purchase a condo in NoVa, a townhome in Fort Washington MD or if its better for you to rent.

FWIW i manage our 3 rentals plus our primary myself and i'm average skill.property 01CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE5.375fixedoriginal loan amount $ 173,750.00monthly payment $ 972.95balance $ 76,047.67maturity dateAPR. 2041estimated equity $ 509,380.61estimated maximum sale price$ 615,000.00 prop taxes $ 6,741.79purchased feb. 2004 refinanced MAR. 2011property 01Portland OregonHELOCcurrent rate 8.5original4.0original amount$40,000.00 payment$211.75 balance$29,571.72 maturity SEP. 2034

There are several discount granite, cabinet and fixture places in NoVA and Baltimore but which one to use depends on your budget and timeline.

Cities that require each:Soils reports ($6-7K for report & required work): Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Encinitas, La Mesa, National City, San Marcos, VistaStorm water management ($5-7K): Del Mar, Encinitas, VistaBuilding Verification Survey ($3-8K): Del Mar, Oceanside, San MarcosUtility upgrades are also a very important consideration, and City of SD in particular is enforcing more requirements than they have in the past, e.g. water fixture counts and requiring ROW work to upgrade.

There are a lot of great meet ups I can point you to to meet other investors and learn, but the ones I know of are all in NoVa.

We found financing with Mitchell Jones at Nova Home Loans in Tucson.