The Chicago laws heavily favor the tenants  and are so bad, that many investors including myself refuse to buy there.I wish you luck, Don Colagrossi 

Hi Amiris,Thanks for your comment.We launched like 2 weeks ago with a half A$$ed website and ZERO marketing and already recruited 7 agents.I have had VC's throwing money at me like crazy but we are looking at bootstrapping for now until we prove the concept and maybe raise money on our terms.Looking at including all of these things in our online platform:Live support, training and “How To” video’s, various marketing templates, a CRM database management software, a DIY social media account set up, a DIY personal website set up, create own Dotloop signature tool, online continual education courses and a full blown real estate library of videos, tips, webinars, courses, etc..I'm super excited about this mate and believe it to be the new revolution of real estate brokerages Thanks again

That includes some areas of the  Sacramento market which along with certain areas of Stockton and Merced that  offer these needles in the haystack.

From what I've learned after some reading and from listening to many episodes of the Bigger Pockets podcast, some of the keys to success in my current field - including an eye for location and rehab potential, the creation of "added value" and "competitive advantage" and, more than anything, the ability to build relationships - are important to real estate investing and I'm excited to employ them in this new arena.I'm thrilled to find BP and look forward to getting to know some of you!

There are few ways around this, including a job transfer of more than 50 or 100 miles (I can't remember exactly).You say you want to live in one side, it doesn't sound like you have any sneaky plans, but I wanted to share that it is mortgage fraud, which is a felony, if you say you're going to owner occupy but then don't.

Your total expenses should be around 50% of the gross rent not included debt service.

One person spoke about maybe including a car with the unit!

They are very informative, and contain ample information. https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/

My clients know they are paying a fully disclosed 5% narkup which includes coordination of services, etc....

still have debt (including mortgage), but would love to start learning how to get ready for retirement.