Is there really a method to the madness or is it just shop till you find the lowest possible price?

The house needs everything: Roof, gutters, siding (asbestos shingles nailed over older cedar shingles), drainage abatement, rehabbed bath, total kitchen, replaced flooring (half), refinished flooring (other half), back steps, total landscape, HVAC (old furnace is missing), insulation (2" in attic; none elsewhere) additional electrical circuits, plumbing includes iron pipes, interior trim and paint.

From what I've heard you need to buy sight unseen and as is, so I'm curious if you just factored any surprises in the price or had some other method.

Still, the easiest method is to purchase for cash (of which I don't have but I'll find those private lenders out there that are easy to find).

To answer your question FHA is the easiest way to buy this 2-4 unit property building if you dont want the underwriter to question the distance/commute of your main income source then you can use the "kiddy condo," method which is you are the primary occupant and the income used to qualify is from a co-signor on the loan such as parents, family, or relatives.If you have a job the UW it may draw suspicion like another LO above mentioned since its not realistic to have a primary residence that far from your occupation.

My question is should I paint the entire exterior before refi or just paint the trim and fix areas that need a little "love"?

There's a number of people here who invest in Chicago using different methods.

However, I have more interest from these folks than I have assets to collateralize, and I can see this increasing in the future.My Question:Is there a method of utilizing OPM you've seen that might be helpful in this situation, specifically with notes?

Many here are successful full time investors So I have a question that you might be able to guide me in the right direction with.Question- What is the best method to find successful Real estate investors that need a helper?

I had heard about this method, but again, no clue where to begin.