A little late to be posting but wanted to get some of those mid-night thoughts flowing.

And thanks in advance if you're reading this post and also providing me with your inputs/guidance. 

*This post does not create a CPA-client relationship.

I didn't read every post but was a smart thermostat recommended?

Great post Ashley! 

Are the piers and posts in good shape of easily repairable?

Originally posted by @Bruce Woodruff:It is not that easy to produce a great looking paint job.

I am sure some brilliant folks from columbus, OH will post soon. 

I'd follow JW's thought process and even consider posting a note on your neighboring doors...to let them know as a neighbor that it isn't appreciated that there is smoking inside, please kindly consider taking your smoking outside.I feel like the approach is everything here...Chicago is a weird place and hard to enforce a lot of things.  

Michael Plaks has a great post on this topic.2 - Assess the value of those tax deductions to you: Best way to get that is by working with a real estate tax expert.