Hi David, you need a discounted propety, have you tried hyper focusing on off-market properties in your desired area.  

thanks for the guidance @Kaushik Sarkar Since it's development it will take longer to get to the exit. 3 years could be right depending on the market, if the project requires entitlements, how long it takes for permits, no major utility obstacles, etc.

Diversification Beyond the Stock Market: Real estate provides tangible, real-world value that helps hedge against market volatility—a crucial feature when building a resilient retirement portfolio.

My method has always been to call every listing that hit 90 days on market in areas that I want to buy.

Return:Finishing the basement and adding bedrooms can add significant value, especially if your local market places a premium on additional living space.

Build - rent - refinance -repeat. in columbus ohio you are buying old houses that are 1900 or 1920 or 1940 and you are in a sellers market. on the other hand you can source land which is a buyers market and build single family homes or duplex or triplexes that will return by renting and pulling cash out on a DSCR loan and doing it again. there aren't a lot of strategies that do this. flipping is different. so many risks. but when someone has a well oiled machine it's all good and less risk.

Step 2: Narrow down your "buy box" (are you market-indifferent, are you looking for a certain level of cash flow, etc.).Step 3: Connect with real estate agents and begin making offers!

It is probably worth your time to connect with BOTH @John Warren and myself since we are both managing brokers, but John is more focused on property management and I am more focused on general contracting, but we are both Chicago investors as well.Oak Park and Lawndale are definitely two different markets.

Start by getting familiar with your local market.

He was a realtor based in the Midwest (I think the greater Chicago area) and was talking about off vs. on market deals and the importance of choosing equity over cash flow.