Conveniently, I normally tell people to have 50k for a down payment here. 40k for 20% DP and 10k for closing costs (plus you can get some from seller concessions, up to 2% to be exact!).

I.e. consumers buy more if it's "price + surtax + convenience tax + blah-blah tax" than if it's one full big number.

It’s a convenient case study to make a point: it’s so hard for us millennials to buy houses!

Access to public records is free... but the convenience of searching them online is not always free.

If you have a lot of cash (millions and millions), you can sometimes gamble by just buying and holding forever.

I'm sure there are 1-off examples of success, but that's not the norm.And this isn't to shoot down North Lawndale - there are opportunities to invest in the current market/conditions, but to expect gentrification is a huge gamble.

Hence, you're asking for gambling advice from someone on the internet. 

What do you think about small food markets and gas stations; convenience stores?

If you're getting a full-service wholesaler like that, he's likely up-charging you a little for convenience.

They provide a convenient PM locator tool designed to assist you in locating Property Management professionals within your preferred area.