Look at median household incomes, look at market economy base and diversification, look at what's being done to protect and grow economic performance, just run the #'s and the message should be crystal clear. 

That’s thanks to a combination of rent increases, successfully appealing property taxes (highly recommend if you understand the process), and just giving the portfolio time to stabilize.One thing I’ll say is that a lot of people underestimate how much capital it takes to scale quickly.

Contractors performing structural, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work are required to have the appropriate licenses issued by the City of Chicago.

Other ways of using SDIRAs could be to invest in syndications, performing  or non-performing debt, precious metals, raw land, precious metals, mobile home parks, self-storage facilities and more. 

Its comical how few people understand how luck in a particular economic cycle plays into their successes. 

This is the “over night” success that’s taken 20 years.2 - Superior uncommon knowledge, combined with experience and capital and a willingness to take a risk (speculate).  

As we have an accounting firm, note I am a bit biased, but here is what I see folks have the most success do: You should start with an accountant who is very familiar with your investment strategy and grow with them until you cant anymore.

Wishing you great success.

For context, downtown Alexandria performs super well as a rental market and bringing in $5.5k+ as the monthly rental income if you choose to move out of the househack in the future will be absolutely feasible (depending on the property of course).

The resources and books you mentioned, like the BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide and The Book On Rental Property Investing, sound like excellent starting points.Prioritizing financial stability and eliminating debt is crucial, and I agree that a solid financial foundation is key to successful investing.