Inexpensive, looks good, easy to maintain and clean and wears better than anything I have found.  

Retail Lessees pay out the nose, are responsible for NNN charges for improvements that they  don't control, and often pay additional rents based on breakpoints-- BUT the Owner has to be able and willing to make all the top-tier improvements and maintain the property at the highest level for the sake of the general public who will visit this merchant.  

To increase cash flow you will need to turn over tenants every 2-3 years to maintain rents at market rate. 

You're not responsible for fixing every little thing, you're responsible for providing a habitable place and getting things fixed as needed to maintain that.Helpful hint, charge extra per mo and get a weekly or at least biweekly maid to keep up the common spaces.

Plus your rentals should cash flow enough to maintain cash if rents should lower due to the economy.

Usually, I'll sell a note because I have an over concentration of a particular asset type or product type in my portfolio and a regulator or examiner has told me they recommend (or require) that I reduce that concentration in my portfolio.

Any suggestions as to what area in or around Chicago I should concentrate to find a mix of high ROI, low crime and medium property taxes? 

The only thing that matters at their age is that they can maintain their present life style to the end of their days with the money they have saved. 

Either answer should give you an idea on where to concentrate on improving your business by shifting focus to where the most likely area to succeed remains.It's always tough when a long term relationship hits a bump, wish the best for how you proceed and let us know what you choose.Steve

The house was offered "AS-IS" and we're buying with cash.After the AO, it was disclosed to us that a "Paper-Road" runs through the property and is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain this parcel, which is about 25 feet worth of side yard.