Consistently spend time here on the Chicago forumGo to investor meet upsRead books & listen to podcasts like the BP ones and the Straight Up Chicago InvestorAsk for referrals from other investors

There isn't a short cut to understanding a trained skill like this. 

This is where I cut my Real Estate teeth!

Self managing an Airbnb really cut into vacation time when I first arrived.

I believe that it may go straight from air handler across in the middle of the great room (because anything else would be stupid), but I haven't checked.  

Assuming $2600 rent, with 10% prop-mgmt fee, plus a 15% contingency, that leaves $100/mo cashflow which seems like is cutting it way too closeMy main goal would be to diversify my investments beyond stocks and bonds; also would be good to be able to apply the initial leverage I used during the purchase for a longer period of time for appreciation (not sure if that's sound logic tho); and finally would be nice to not pay the $30-40k in selling closing costs.Thanks in advance!

I recently found out this week that the tenant has not cut the grass in three months and he is still only paying $700 a month.

You may want to hold an open house and get straight forward feedback from Potential buyers. 1.

I’ve found that no matter what I do there’s no way to cut costs in my state on a closing and maybe that’s best but it’s around $5,000 every time.

I spent two straight weeks reading this forum.