So in doing all the groundwork on this purchase, and managing the old property I will consider myself officially "in" real estate.  

Personal contacts with those authors blogs can also help but few will have the time to exchange  with you.Podcasts are great to listen if you dont have the time to read.Sinon bonne lecture and happy net browsing  !

"Failure is a component of success.The opposite of success is not failure,its mediocrity (playing at a level below one's capability)"-one author said.there is need for massive action by us newbies (generate leads,make offers,follow up)

With a hassle free CMA (Comparable Market Analysis), you'll KNOW FOR CERTAIN, what your property is worth, as you consider selling your home.Andre Bowdry, Broker, KW Realty (630) 537-0707Data in this derived article from MRED Multiple Listing Service & the Housing Authority of Cook CountyMarch 2015rents Stud | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR | 5BR | 6BR | 7BR Barrington 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Barrington Hil 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Country Club H 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Deer Park 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Deerfield 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Evanston 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Flossmoor 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Frankfort 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Hoffman Estat 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Hoffman Estat 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Homewood 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Inverness 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Lincolnwood 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Northfield 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Orland Park 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Palos Heights 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Palos Park 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150South Barringt 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150South Holland 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Streamwood 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Tinley Park 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Wilmette 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150Winnetka 1090 | 1250 | 1500 | 1850 | 2125 | 2450 | 2800 | 3150

These particular sellers have a time constraint to sell fast or just want to deal with one person and not officially put on the market.

If your looking for passive income/rentals in Chicago, I think @Brie Schmidt is one of the authorities around here :)If you're trying to go into Fix and Flips (rehabs), PM me and I can give you some referrals.Either way, I suggest you get involved and use BiggerPockets as your platform to take your goals to the next level. 

Unless official guidance by HUD has been handed down recently that I dont know about, it is a big grey area.

@Eric E.Each is different, you can either look for it in the Housing Authority website or County website under housing or Housing choice Voucher payment standards.

Thanks for sharing this article.The author has cherry picked the pieces that negatively supports his line of reasoning.Additionally, there is no guarantee that everyone who invested in stocks would see a positive return as quoted.So, it depends on the drive, plan, creativity and mindset of the individual.It's a known fact that most of the millionaires made/secured their wealth through RE and not the stock market.Looking back at the author's path to home ownership, he could have re-calibrated his steps and do creative REI investing to make himself whole.The author's story sounds like a good one to tell, generate laughter and lively conversations, but, I am not convinced with his line of reasoning about home ownership.

It's up to you.Regardless of how you want it handled, you'll typically maintain a reserve fund for the PM company to draw from for authorized repairs.