Previous posts I would get some of the I would rather rent to crack head type answers than take bitcoin for rent but that seems to be slowly fading.  

I felt that I would’ve been way over my head with repair & renovation costs.

You're in over your head.

Heading to Cook County Tax Lien Sale next month, it will be my first in person auction. 

Make it part of the renewal addendum then put everything into place.This is one of those "ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" instances. 

Keep your head up!

Part of the problem is inexperienced landlords who are in over their heads.

I don't have the exact number/percent off the top of my head but want to say it was in the neighborhood of 10 thousand dollars for a pretty modestly sized/priced SFH.

What I always tell people is that somewhere there is a little girl who could be the next Albert Einstein, but without our help she is more concerned with where her next meal is coming from or if she will have a roof over her head to be able to focus on life's mysteries.

House hacking would give you a huge head start on your journey.