The most effective ways to prepare for unforeseen (and seen) expenses:-Work with an investor-friendly agent that doesn't have "commission breath" and will push you to buy any property regardless of condition.

Not only satisfying financially but breathing life into an old building has even more benefits. 

As price went up my occupancy rate dropped slightly but I'm still earning more now than before and with better quality renters.Entire property rentals need at least 10% of the year to breathe for repairs/updates if you want to continue to operate at a high level and offer a quality product.My current occupancy rate as of August 2017 is 78% with $20k net income after all expenses and mortgage paid. 

If your family's plan involves using a good CPS public school K-8, their are many families now holding there breath waiting for more cuts, a CTU strike and higher class sizes. 

If it takes you too long to lie breathe eat and sleep this list, you will struggle as everything will seem lie too much effort for you, and nothing seems to be working for you , "it is just too difficult" " my market sucks", "Too many big dogs taking all the deals".

This forum is just people, it is not a living breathing thing on its own who has some specific or even general viewpoint.To say "GREAT, GREAT majority" is just conjecture and not based on any population data or even a logical explanation.

So, take a deep breath and power through it!

Have no clue what it entails to sell or price the house, have super crocodile bath breath, have no idea what upgrades are worth, have no clue what items of their house brings value and what items do not, and what items actually reduce value (a crappy pool, a desperately needed to be torn down shed) etc. etc.Although motivated sellers, they are in many aspects worse than a blind targeted lead where you have to argue and debate trying to convince them their house is really not all that!

Hard sets are basically dead once set(cured) and very hard to remove from a floor but everything stays down if you install properly.3) Please give yourself at least a 3/16" space around the perimeter of a floating floor install to eliminate call backs from peaking planks due to movement; Houses breathe so they expand and contract.4)Always buy a floor with ha good FINISH.

Breath Jerryll, breathe..Now sacrivice 3 virgin goats, and I will show you how!