I would strongly advise you to hire an attorney who speaks your native language.

Stocks are teetering at all time highs, interest rate rise is on the horizon, inflation is already here, state and federal taxes are absolutely going to rise at a level not seen before.

I have put them in but using not the cheapest, base level.

I never hear back from most but for those that do we go on to the next level of screening.Before posting an ad on FB Marketplace I'd suggest reviewing the current rents for your area and make sure yours is up there with these. 

I assume if you ask your lender for a no cost no fee refinance the rate will be 4.875 with APR 4.875  Ask for the APR which breaks down the cost of the rate averaged over first 12 months to get level numbers.

Be honest with yourself about your skill/expertise level...more people fail in this business than succeed. 

I have a split level house I'm looking at but most of the comps were single story.

A high level understanding of each can be helpful.Also, try to go for base hits rather than home runs.

The cashflow is decent as a midwest city, and there are some really nice suburbs as well.I'm mostly concerned with the future of Chicago, and if it will continue losing population, or if things are expected to reverse/ level out over time.

If you do sell, the most passive alternative out there is buying index funds (although I'm not thrilled to buy at these levels honestly).