Quote from @Richard Hoyte: What is a good and or acceptable amount of money to have saved up before buying your first rental property I'm aware this can vary depending on the state/area but is there a rule of thumbThank you ahead of time  Hello Richard, Your down payment amount will have a lot to do with this.If you are going with the minimum downpayment of 3 - 3.5% , you'll want to have at least a total of 10% of the purchase price (to also account for closing costs) + 6 months in reserves.

If there is any value, it would simply reduce the cost.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of assistance programs around the country. 

Closing costs will be less with this route. 

Now a landlord (and architect), I wouldn't build out the space without the second stair since it really is a safety issue/liability (especially in case of a fire) if anything were to happen.Full excerpt of building code below:According to the Chicago building code on egress requirements, the third story above grade plane within a dwelling unit [which in this case is the duplex-up unit], all the following conditions must be met:1.) the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system2.) the floor area of the story does not exceed 1600 sq ft3.) the dwelling unit has an exit that discharges directly to the exterior at the level of exit discharge.Your third story attic space is unlikely to exceed 1600 sq ft, but you'll probably find the sprinkler system to be cost-prohibitive.

That could (Could doesn't mean does) mean mom is showing on title to Wells so, she would have (could) reason to pay the loan off to avoid losing it in foreclosure, if that is a viable option.It would not appear any solution is without cost.

Which would mean that all of my clients funds go into my bank account and I would pay them their net payout (rent less my Mgmt fee, cleaning fee, maintenance costs, taxes) at the end of the month instead of them paying me my Mgmt fee.

However, the overall cost of homeownership will remain high, influencing buyer preferences towards more affordable properties​​.Rental MarketThe rental market in Birmingham shows a trend with year-over-year rent prices increasing along month-over-month prices rising slightly.

They accept financing so all cash is not necessary and we are asking them to paying for closing costs. 

Plenty of companies can do a AML check and you can make that cost as part of your origination process.As a FYI, we had someone fail a AML / KYC check because they were a former drug runner in a cartel.