We are still buying but are slowing down  some and putting down larger payments as well as looking to free up cash. 

The slowness is probably seasonal. 

You will see gaps everywhere, which need to be caulked, which makes you final product look like crap.There is a great book on BP from J Scott about estimating cost.

I hope that with the market slowing down and some luck, we find something interesting.

I can help you I can send you my rate and product sheet and get you done with stated income and verified assets 

Often we do a fair amount of renovations and we a slow at rehabbing.

If they are moving in between the 1st and the 15th they are required to pay pro-rate plus deposit (no move in special).If they move in between the 16th and the end of the month they are required to pay pro-rate, plus full following month, plus deposit (No move in special).During times of cooler weather or historically slow months in terms of leasing, move-in specials are used as a means to place a tenant quicker without lagging in the pre-qualification area.

Builders building is actually a good sign typically since they've run the numbers to know there is demand for their product. 

Unfortunately, winter is notoriously slow rental season in Chicago. 

The text msg is probably less productive as no one will go with the bait thinking it is a spammer.