Currently I'm renting an apartment, but I'd like to buy a 4plex or I guess I should say an investment property that I can live in, as well as make it work for me at the same time.

Hello Jacob,Do you have any interest in a rental or flip or JV in the far northern suburbs of Chicago...Not Cook County, Lake County.

To give a little background regarding my investing experience, I'm as fresh as the meat that you have thawing out for dinner tonight:).

They do not decompose in the septic and clog lines and drain holes.Houses with garbage disposals discharge all kinds of vegetables, meat and other table scrapes that are also not easily disposed of in septic biology.  

Property taxes in Cook County are atrocious cashflow killers.

http://www.smallprop.orgIt's geared for small SF prop owners, only charges $75/yr, has an excellent newsletter with all the latest laws and screwy legislation/shenanigans our politicians are trying too cook up, and they have good local monthly meetings which you can attend.  

My focus with landlords and for rent signs is to talk to them about possibly leasing from them and then buying the property down the roadOne of my questions for landlords it isIf I could get you the rent that you want and keep the property in good shape for period of 12 to 24 monthly rent payments would you be willing to sell the property to me at a fair price?

This way, I keep my 3 lots locked in at current price, and get another one at current price, saving me at least $10k later. 

I stumbled on a post yesterday where someone asked a similar question... and the answer was similar: this isn't really a deal as there's no meat on the bone.  

Does the burger cook get a slice of the owner's profit plus fair compensation for his time and skill?