You have to adjust your expectations to match current reality, which includes higher mortgage rates, higher prices, more expensive taxes and insurance, more competition, etc.

Actually, it is possible do structure a 1031 Exchange on the sale of one or more relinquished properties and then using the proceeds through the 1031 Exchange to construct improvements on real property you already own.

Also, rather than taking a large amount of money and investing into one single directly owned property, I can split it up into much smaller chunks across many different passive investments.

When that happens, you can adjust the rent to match current market rates.

Any one else in the BP community or any of my Chicago Real estate folks have any big goals for 2025?

I wanted to share some key insights from Rentometer’s analysis of over 5 million rental searches in 2024. The findings are particularly interesting for those focused on the Columbus, Ohio market, which topped the list...

How does one define design choices, etc?

If you want off market deals, typically the best deals are the ones you are going to source on your own, not from an agent or wholesaler. 

And if this is illegal in some states...what exactly is illegal about finding interested investors and matching them up with a funding source?

The market appreciates 3% per year.Pay cash for one house and rent it for $1,500.