However, managing multiple projects simultaneously proved overwhelming.

We recently started a Co-Hosting business and are managing for one other person.

I have a short term rental that I self manage and am considered a real estate professional based on material participation rules.  

Next StepsContact 311 or the Chicago Department of Water Management to request a meter recheck or usage audit.If the new bills seem drastically off, request a review for billing errors or adjustments.Consider installing low-flow fixtures or monitoring usage with a smart meter device to ensure there’s no hidden waste.It’s frustrating, but you’re not alone in this!

Here's the deal:Purchase Price (PP): $95kRenovation Budget (via HML): $60kTotal All-In Cost: $155kARV (After Repair Value): Around $200kRefinance (via DSCR Loan): 7% interest, 30-year fixedRefinance Details: After the refi, I will pay back the Hard Money Loan (HML) at 11.95% with 3 points:HML: $60,000Interest/fees: $3,585Other costs: $1,800Total to pay back HML: $65,385After the refi, I will have $84,615 left in cash.Cash Flow & Expenses:Expected Rent Income: $1,700/monthProperty Management (PM): $126/monthInsurance: $100/monthTaxes: $126/monthMortgage: $1,043.75/monthTotal Expenses: $1,395.75/monthSo my monthly cash flow is about:$1,700 - $1,395.75 = $304.25/month in cash flow.Return on Investment:Cash Invested After Refi: About $18,385 (after paying off HML and closing costs).Annual Cash Flow: $304.25 * 12 = $3,651Cash-on-Cash Return (CoC): $3,651 / $18,385 = 19.8%I didn’t account for maintenance costs since it’s a full gut rehab, and everything is brand new.

I run Blaze Real Estate a property management company in Amarillo.

If you're a relatively new multifamily operator, you'll likely be required to hire a professional management company (inexperienced owners are typically not allowed to self manage the assets).

Can it integrate with your bookkeeping software (like QuickBooks or a property management tool)?

Buy and holds is the key to true wealth with all the benefits of depreciation, appreciation, loan pay down by your tenants, leveraging the equity, cash-flow etc etc, but it often times isn't the active income that pays the bills until you build up a portfolio and even then there's the tenant management or managing your property managers.That's why I'm involved in all 3.

It isn't having paid off properties that offers security, there are still taxes, insurance, maintenance and management involved.