Obviously as a new investor I would struggle to purchase in the hot Chicago areas.Can anybody give a outline of a strategy and neighborhoods which have been successful in the Chicago market for someone just entering the game.ThanksDavid

:-(Not tying to scare you, but your best bet is to NOT WAIT for estimates and send pics and your best guess as to what things are going to cost (outlined in a line item letter with corresponding amounts foe each item for which you are withholding Sec Dep $$).  

At what point will the realtor give me all of that information with regards to the fees and costs you outlined above?

Several solutions are outlined in there.

Basically, the Real Estate commission has determined that an agent can not give away their responsibilities that are outlined by the commission regardless of pay or specifics of the deal.  

Can you briefly outline the construction the process for installing a concrete subfloor with no wood TGI framing?

In turn, Fannie and Freedie outline the guidelines for the banks to use. 

However in the figure I think I will do something more along the lines of this thread - https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/476...He outlines a system that I think could work great. 

great moves and great outline ..thanks for sharing a seattle success story

I'll outline my own thoughts to start the process.