Companies like these will attract agents who couldn't make it in the "real world". 

A local guy at the REIA always says he'll give you a million dollars for a $100K home, but under financing terms that won't be very attractive to you.  

If you can attract significantly higher rents by updating kitchen and bath, you should consider it. 

If you're not paying interest or if you're employing tactics to avoid paying interest, you're not attractive as a potential borrower.

@Travis HauserIf I were in your shoes with young children (I'm assuming pre-school age) I would buy my first rental property (sfh or small multi) as an owner occupant - Live there for a few months or a year and move to your second rental property as an owner occupant - repeat as often as possible - Once your kids are school age, this will become less attractive because you will want to keep the kids in the same schools

While the interest free financing is very attractive, I just don't think the purchase of the high efficiency will be worth it.  

Congratulations on your initial success with attracting potential tenants. 

As a result, the profession attracts dishonest people who give the good ones a bad name.The industry needs some help, but to make a blanket claim it is illegal in all cases is going too far.

Based on the amount of recently fixed up homes (most look like flips), it's likely though that there is demand for nice homes in this area and I think you'll continue to see appreciation in Oak Park.If you're looking for the best bang for your buck on a rental property, you might be able to find a place that needs some work at a more affordable price and then do some cosmetic improvements to attract quality tenants without doing a full flip.Cheers!

You didn't mention anything about the house, but if you are open to SEC 8, that's a safe tenant to attract this time of year.