He is a contractor and is bringing time and expertise of handling the rehab.  

Hi Jesse,I do not think there is any "Paid Professional" type who can give you advice on how to turn your properties from hungry cash lions to cash flow cows.There are owners and owner operators (who have a business model they work) who might be able to improve these properties if they owned them, but maybe not.I say maybe not because part of a successful business model is knowing what to avoid, and making sure the purchase is structured to lower the risk of this happening.You have 3 properties, and possibly 3 different sets of problems with a lot of possible variable causes.Possibly others can weigh in on this with some help for you.

I don't think the article is a bunch of crap-- that is  clearly the business model used by some of the big guys. 

Most of us work in different spaces with different business models, so it will give you a broad perspective of how to meet your goals.Best of Luck and feel free to reach out if you need anything.

I recently offered some similar advice in the post below.There are thousands of out of state investors buying up all kinds of TX RE  and very few understand how to model tax expense growth.Bottom line, if you invest in TX real estate, your tax expense will generally grow at the same rate as your appreciation.  

Interesting model and it does simplify their business.

@Jimmy Chao @Joe Meares I'm good with any model Speed Queen.

Can any Chicago investors recommend property management companies with expertise working in rougher neighborhoods?

I'm by no means a contractor, but I have a fair bit of experience with DIY re-model type work, if I can help out in any way, please let me know.

These  prospective tenants really are the model applicants, a doctor and a lawyer, and would possibly sign on to a 3yr lease.