My Agent is a friend of mine from high school and she's great.

I lived in it when I was in grad school.  

And pretty much it IS my house -- son's benefit is experience, growing a great credit history, and getting off the school meal plan. 

My partner and I are in a similar situation - both about to finish grad. school and looking to pick up our first property (3-4 unit) this year via 203k-ing into a distressed property in a B/C neighborhood in the west suburbs.

My Agent is also a property owner/manager and happens to be a former High School class mate of mine.

ARV-115k-125kRepairs 15kAsking 80k What should the offer be Class B Great school district Feed back welcome!

My cash flow was non-existent during school, and only recently have I been able to consider moving forward with this dream. 

Most of those areas you have listed have schools that are in pretty high demand with low inventory making them more expensive.

I have a wife who is working on her realtor's license and is an elementary school teacher by trade.

I bump into a rundown house on a big lot in an excellent area, located between two great high school and very desirable community.