I'm speaking only with my experience in SoCal...but another reason they are expensive is that we were required to use very 'green' products.

Quote from @Jaycee Greene: Quote from @Samantha Suero: Hi Jaycee, thanks for your response!

@Shawn Nofziger If you're green to REI the auctions are not a great place to start. 

Quote from @Jonathan Greene: Quote from @Randy Achi: Quote from @Jonathan Greene: Go to local real estate investor meetups, there are a lot of them in Chicago, and start networking.

I do think that the cross over involvement could lead to some assets or funds being garnished from the other businesses for investors that lost money in norada capital management because of this. 

Madison and Green Bay also seem like good places to invest.

Quote from @Jonathan Greene: That isn't necessary for your first rental in my opinion.

we see it done frequently and have done it but we will not go above 50-60% and require cross collateralization of 3-4x the amount being borrowerd.

Motion for relief has been granted and green light to proceed with foreclosure.

If you are looking to work with a STR focused realtor that probably has the most STR sales in the area, is an STR investor himself, has a STR property management company and assists with staging if needed, and can give you a true pulse on the market, I recommend reaching out to @Josh Green.