These days, even properties with nice amenities like pools need to go the extra mile to capture attention and bookings.

Rich people pay cash for homes.

The long term (since 2000) appreciation for chicago is 3.35%/year.  3.35 * (10/6) = 5.58% return from appreciation.Total return: 5.58% (appreeciation including the leerage) + 2% (cash flow)= 8.58% + equity pay down + tax benefits.I fear your total return does not justify the effort and risk of residential RE.San Diego is a good market for long holds.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary has brought renewed attention to a long-debated policy move: the potential privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Or, if you pay 20k over list price on a property that is 50k underpriced, you still got a hell of a deal.

You can charge more, the furniture is already there, and if the house is stunning then it could get attention.

Not a lot to add here, just the simple advice to make it as easy as possible to pay rent. 

Not much if any attention is paid to the guarantors, credit, income, etc. 

Then there you go.One thing I am looking to try to do but haven't done yet is buy something with zero down on seller finance, put the rehab on a 0% credit card, then refi the seller off in 12 months and pay back the card. 

I LOVED getting a loan through DR Horton on a DR Horton build, that I had to pay for a DR Horton appraisal.