Tony Cook Thanks Tony very much appreciate your input and you seem very knowledgable.

Frank,In order to search for PINs in cook county, go to:http://www.cookcountypropertyinfo.com/Pages/PIN-Se...If its a different county, let us know and there should be similar portals. 

@Tony Cook Thanks Tony, I'll definitely give it a listen!

@Tony Cook Thanks for the info Tony, much appreciated.

Apparently they were able to get them out pretty quick after that; it didn't go through the whole eviction process, this is Cook county and that takes forever.

I played all of them when I was driving, bicycling, walking, cooking, shopping....

My husband also works for the State, and runs a blog on sustainability in the suburbs (we grow and produce much of our own food on a small lot).I'm interested mostly in buy and hold, and have just started browsing different markets.

@Dustin Cook  Sounds like you are looking for something that would be turnkey.  

Great food scene incredible views and just awesome all around area.Pm me I can help answer any questions AlexPS my wife graduated from Montreat in Black mountain just down the road.

Not sure about using a HELOC as a source for a down payment on a mortgage, but food for thought because you still get the tax benefit, don't pay capital gains, and free up the equity to reinvest.