Levi T.

@Alina T., it's great that you're on the path to increasing your real estate knowledge.

Pete T.

And does it match the existing kitchen style?

At the end of the trip you end up with a t-shirt, a snack for breakfast, a full lunch, and a good amount of contacts to network with - that alone is worth the money. 

You could focus on properties near the T to attract downtown professionals as renters.

We have an opportunity to buy a recently renovated Tudor style home at $160,000 which we would personally live in (House Hack) with one move in ready basement apartment and a 5 car garage with a finished bathroom, which would cost roughly $15,000 to retro fit for a second rental space.

Probably the only possible excuse there is.However, this is a great excersize, it still doesn't excuse any issues that come up as far as damage and smells, etc.And thanks to JR T. for the advice on changing our lease...in fact had that discussion last night at dinner.  

We play up the fact that we are a new contracting company because everyone else is sick of the 'random dude in a pickup with holes in his shirt' image they get when they think of a contractor.

It takes experience and knowledge of what looks appropriate on different architectural styles.