Ask your friends and relatives to recommend you a reliable professional.If you find an agent on the Web, read online reviews.

Any other tips on ways to research my market (which in my case would be Chicago and Northeast Illinois) on the web?

@Vincent Chen - Try starting here - http://taxlienlady.com/StateGuide.pdfThen after you find out what state or county you are targetting, then hit the county web site for how things work for that specific county.  

I've heard from numerous people that the best way to approach this is:1.

From doing some research and listening to numerous podcasts, I have found that a 203K loan sounds like an awesome way to get into the real estate game.

I bet your tenant is smarter than you not to get entangled in web of texts and emails. 

There are numerous qualified retirement plans available to you as a small business owner.  

Will help you understand DCF, NPV, and numerous financial metrics.BUT If you're looking for an education that will get you a job, there really isn't any.

Spoke with numerous contractors and suppliers and since the cost difference is marginal, the upside of engineered hardwood is worth it all day.

Maybe try to partner with a dispensary or tape a business card or postcard with your web address at the cash register.