I've found this to be very helpful analyzing comparables, taking a zip code and determining what your rental income can demand based off rental criteria.

MLS. offered above asking given the competitive market. haven't seen a comparable duplex listed this low since this one.

That way you can compare rates/fees against each other.

In most cases, the math will pan out that those higher costs are nothing compared to what a lower rate will save you in the long term.

(Compared to my hometown here in Phoenix everything in the Midwest is affordable lol) I've already called a realtor about a couple properties in Mason and they already had offers on them.

Some of the parks have an internal, almost built-in marketing system for properties that I would carefully evaluate for comparables, etc.

@Lawrence ChenThe first step I’d do is write down your goals and expectations for an investment - what cash flow do you want, how much time do you want to spend, what condition of home, what about a market attracts you, etc.Then once you have a better idea that, I’d recommend to start reaching out to agents who are also investors so you can learn how the local markets are operating and how the on-market MLS compares to off-market deals.Overall, the Midwest is great.

In Chicago management cost get higher the rougher the area and in nice areas it can be very low compared to the rest of US prices. 

If you want to figure out whether you're looking at a good potential value add opportunity, you need to evaluate the physical condition of the property and comparable properties.

We often see a 3 unit (1 commercial, 2 residential) selling for less than a comparable duplex and if the residential square footage is greater than 50% of the property you can still qualify for residential financing, which most people don't realize.