I guess the more I get in to this, I just get the feeling that the inventory of potential properties is shrinking, ie ..there are fewer coming available as opposed to the ones already taken.   

I gave a presentation explaining my sales process and how Icame to the price offered and which also explained the benefits of selling through a whol;esaler as opposed to the retail process.

@Steve CombsYes, I have been using various listing sites to comb through properties for the last couple weeks, and at this point I need to start actually talking to other investors in the area as opposed to falling deeper into the rabbit hole of obsessively searching online.

I would be living at the first property by myself and am in the position where I can take the time to work on the inside of the property and get a good price on any exterior work done.

Looking for advice or information on how these conditions affect construction on the exterior work of houses.

.), rather than with an investor mentality (what is the expected appreciation rate, what are the rental comps, etc.)2) Purchasing my second condo with a realtor, as opposed to getting a license and completing the transaction myself#1 is no longer an issue as I've shifted to investor mode.  

Pest control is not trapping them but sealing the exterior entry points.

It is important to know this going in because you are the most objective now as opposed to when you are in the middle of the negotiation. 50/50 would be good for you considering what he is bringing, so maybe set that as your ideal number and open with it.

You'll probably want to get a structural engineer to make sure it is possible to remove the existing ceiling joists so as not to put too much lateral pressure on the exterior walls, and recommend footing sizes and depths for the piers.

Chicago has tons of triplexes, Lakeland has some duplexes, and we are not opposed to single family homes.