We only use CAP Rates when we are comparing one opportunity against another before pulling the trigger. 

I want to be free to do what I want in my 40s with my family and guide my children now, not in my 50 or 60s.

Stocks are pretty liquid, BUT selling them triggers tax consequences and the timing of when you want the money for real estate purposes might not coincide with the best time to sell the stock.

Please check out the book I co-authored called Lend to Live: Earn Hassle-Free Passive Income in Real Estate with Private Money Lending published by BiggerPockets.com/lendtolive.

.), ask tons of questions, and figure out how to hang out with people who are doing what you want to do (add value, work for free, do anything to get that experience.What area of Chicago are you looking to invest in?

We are leaning towards bringing on a hard working administrative assistant to lighten the load and free up more time to focus on more pertinent tasks.This will be our first hire and are wondering what the best way to go about doing so is.

I'm sure there are more ways that syndicates operate so please, feel free to share your syndication experiences and your knowledge on the process.

I don’t know if it would be worth it to do a 1031 after only a year unless you’re buying both properties for much less than their worth assuming 10% in selling costs (which might offfset any tax savings over just selling the contract) if the property goes from $100k to $110k by next year your taxable gain will already be zero after selling costs.if you plan to sell soon anyway  I think I’d lean towards just selling the contract and freeing up the money, saving loan and interest costs.

Feel free to DM me for a few references if you don't currently have any! 

This is done to ensure that the property has been stabilized and to mitigate risks for the lender.Since there are various lenders and loan programs available, it's critical to connect with a knowledgeable mortgage professional who can guide you through the refinancing process and help you understand the specific seasoning requirements of different lenders.If you have any further questions or need additional clarification, feel free to ask!