This deal was sourced through New Western Acquisitions and was sold on a first come first serve basis.

I live in the western suburbs too, and most areas are the same.

My first batch were letters on formal letterhead addressing the owner and making a light offer in LOI fashion.

Our winter was probably the slowest it's ever been and we are in Logan right near the western blue line.   

The old fashion way.

@Nicholas Field You can structure deals in any fashion.

I may also to look at transferring funds into my sons account in Aust and have him wire me the money via western Union etc I should probably also look at how I can open a Bank account in the US  ?

By the time you close on the new property it will be almost 1 year from the HELOC's date and you can move into the new property in a leisurely fashion at the 1 year mark without any concerns at all. 

I am specifically interested in the western suburbs within Cook County and DuPage – Areas like Berwyn, La Grange, Westmont, Lemont, Naperville, Glen Ellyn, Elmhurst, ETC.

Budgeting: I definitely need to improve on these skills, but typically spend $600/mo. on all food & beverage and $500/mo. on lifestyle (travel, fun, other)I'm open to house-hacking but I can't afford anything in my area, nor the areas I was considering Western Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana.