Yes, I plan to invest in real estate but need to do some homework on what category to invest. 

Lived here for 5 years, listening to podcasts and doing homework on rental properties, decided to convert it in to a rental after we built a home for us.

@Max Murphy - Instead of a loan from family, maybe you can do the math and entice your parents to invest with you -- even if it's 75 percent (them) and 25 percent (you).

Also markets anywhere are not flinching due to banks not foreclosing and letting people slide with mortgage payments wait they so far telling people you will have to pay all months missed in one payment this is just the beginning we will not feel the real affects of covid until the after math and Chicago will be affected hard.

The math for us was a no-brainer.I would not do a cashout refi for anything other than building cashflowing assets...ie. no personal home remodels, cars, boats, trailers, second homes, etc.  

@Brian PloszayInteresting Brian- I am newbie and find the math hard for CA even for a primary home upgrade.

I don't think most tenants see pools as an amenity worth more.Maybe you fill it in and make it common area like a gym or community room (I've seen one guy make a study center for kids to do homework outside their apartment and tenants loved it). 

When I was in the North I thought to buy some property since I was paying so much to lease it, and then the math showed me that it would always be less to rent than to own. 

Do your homework and treat the area like any other?

That said, don't waste their time if you're not willing to do your homework.