Chicago is losing housing stock at an alarming rate. 

As far as whether to approach them with or without an agent - approaching them directly without an agent can save the seller probably 2.5-3% of fees, which give you some room to negotiate on the price, but you need to be confident that you are capable of evaluating the property value, estimating on the amount of work that is needed, knowing how to negotiate/ structure the deal, and navigating the closing process.

More control of the active income of our business due to long term rental market changes that are being effected by the rates as well as growing deal prices.

also we do not know what is going to happen with int rates, they are very high now, the economy is not good and it is not certain they will be coming down this year. we know there will be more responsible gov spending, so maybe rates will come down, no way to know...I think you need to know the market where you plan to buy well, and go from thereBest of luck

I have already spent quite a bit on attorney's fees myself. 

2) If you do owner-occupied cashout refi for best rate, you technically have to live in the home for 12 months before renting it out. * Some responders here may suggest not worrying about that and renting it out anyways.

It almost feels like they make it difficult on purpose so they get extra revenue on late fees.

It's debt you'd still have to pay back, but at least you will not touch one of those two amazing interest rates. 

.), the places im looking at are decent $ properties that after running through calculators etc showing 18-22% CoC after management fees etc.But after listening to BP for about a month, now thinking BRRRR possibly and doing up here in the DFW area.

The default rate is only 1% per month which is 12% annual.I assume there are more pages to that agreement