Sounds like you're taking advantage of your favorable VA loan options smartly too.Good work - can't wait to hear about your next deal!

Plus, living in the property gives you the unique advantage of understanding it inside and out.. making you a better landlord when you eventually rent out all the units.If I were you, I’d prioritize properties with room for rent increases or small upgrades that could boost value.

Obviously right now is a lower valuation, but there is always ways to take advantage of the currency spread. 

Neither outcome is good for you.I give some approximations of each expense category in The Hands-Off Investor, but the best way to nail down operating costs is to look at the property's historical performance.For example, Contract Services and Utilities. 

This is a great place to learn and to connect with people so take advantage of all the great resources.Welcome aboard and best of luck investing!

We offer over 120 categories that are real estate related and periodically add more based on customer requests. 

North OC are my stomping grounds so if I’d love to hear its advantages over LB/Riverside. 

Ideally AI could improve the property analytics that shape listing prices, a competitive advantage over other brokers.

This would be primarily due to your competitive advantage of living in Chicago and knowing the market.

If you’re getting the property for significantly under market, this strategy can still be advantageous and everyone wins, good luck.