Thank you all for the warm welcome, and great advice.

Thanks @Ronda McCormick I just downloaded it & that really goes to the heart of my question.

Thanks for the warm Chicago welcome to BP!

Thank you all for the warm welcome and tips.

Trade offs do exist of course ( low income areas), but I now own 6 properties outright and will own another 17 outright in the next 3-4 years which average between 800 and 1000 per month in rent.to do this requires a high aptitude in such properties ( which I didn't have initially but do now)...hence not for the faint if heart to go at alone.

A lot of my friends, as I said, do section 8 and that is based upon number of bedrooms I think the minimum section 8 voucher in the area is around 800, but you would have to double check that on the HUD website.I would also highly recommend going to the area during the day, especially during a nice warm day bc you can see what the neighborhood and its inhabitants are like then.

Thank you everyone for the warm welcomes, I will continue reading and browsing the website!

Thanks in advance for the warm welcome.BobPS.

@Karen Margrave Thanks for the warm welcome.

In fact, the tenants might have information about the property that I'd find helpful (plumbing is always breaking, can't keep the house warm, etc.).