@Matt Smith - as @Christopher S. mentioned you cannot use an ADU unit in Chicago as an AirBNB as the city's intent with the program is to provide additional affordable housing. 

Researching local job markets, schools, and even infrastructure projects can provide insight into potential appreciation and cash flow.You might want to explore markets in the Midwest or South, which often have lower entry points and better cash flow potential compared to California.

My point is I'm not interested in having a second job.Currently doing analysis on identifying top zip codes for the facility based on criteria like age distribution, median income, education levels, % of home ownership.

Just lay the rock wool on top of the suspended ceiling. 

If we had hundreds of loans out, we’d have enough monthly income to aggregate the payments into additional loans—but we don’t.If you do this, your note will have to have a compounding clause in it, provided by your lending attorney.

Those that cannot weather the storm get wiped out.Having cashflow positive properties provides a margin of safety you just do not have with negative cashflow.Why are you focused on buying in your backyard? 

Most lending is based on cashflow, not the 2% rule (although still a good rule of thumb for some types of investments), might have the most help from the group if you provided some of those details here just so it'd be easier for us to help you best. 

Tear out side porch steps (3) and do brick and then lay brick over concrete so it is a brick patio (8x10 patio top)11.

There's no reason to provide details, though I do let people know if anyone asks that we do not accept bulk up-front rent payments or anything like that because I absolutely do not want a prospective tenant to think that someone else swooped in with a bunch of cash last minute.

This 'consultative' approach means their business clients come in talk through problems and they try to provide a bit of outside business 'coaching' if you will, or connect you with another client who can assist.