@Shyla Cooks Save your money, read, and start looking at properties. 

That actually doesn't surprise me at all, if it's a lender in that gray area in between non-qm and HML, call it 8% to rate and 2% to fees range.

I don't necessarily have to be the one actively managing the flip or brrrr but partnering up as a passive investor gives me at least the opportunity to be involved in deals other than normal long term passive rental properties.Yes, there's a lot of potential in the North Charleston area.

I am far from an expert and figured the community would be better than me at coming up with ideas.

@Michael TaylorYou're wife's right about not buying in cook county.

I have a little more equity then her but her place is much more "tenant proof" and desirable as a rental and would actually cash flow 150-200 dollars even with Cook County Chicagoland taxes.   

I do think that the carrying costs is what is really hurting me at this point.

A person with showers , toilets , cooking etc uses 50 gallons a day .

All landlords in Chicago and cook county need to take 5 seconds to submit an opposition 

Which would put me at 14% and I'm happy with anything over 12%.