Also, I don't think I want to get a SFR if I'm trying to get a multi unit property, but there were really no search criteria for what I was looking for -Location: I put in 60612 + 2 miles – I’ve seen on bigger pockets that people say put in the full city, but I don’t know if this piece of advice applies to huge cities like Chicago.

Thanks.A deed is actual piece of paper that records a single event about a property such as transfer of ownership.

At the very least you will be paying for a location expert who can be your eyes and ears.

Has anyone had any success replacing individual pieces without taking the whole thing apart?

If he proves consistent then bring him in and let him have a piece, but get your T&Cs taken care of ahead of time.

Such as the roof needs to be completely replaced (there is a ridge sag and seems it could fail, rafters aren't place correctly), the porch needs a larger joist as its sagging down as well, the basement still has asbestos, the basement needs waterproofing as there is a moldy smell and minor water leakage, barely update the 1st floor unit, update and correct the electrical (relocate a fuse panel in a bathroom), brand new panels in the basement with a larger feed coming in, concrete steps in front and rear of house are in need of some repair, the boilers may need to be replaced, replace a few broken windows(completely shattered, just a piece of plywood covers them now), the lower roof gutters were nailed directly into the shingles, there are no GFCI's in any bathroom or kitchen, and a few other fixes.It would be an FHA 203k with 3.5% down$9,600 per year in taxesGarbage is included in taxes, tenants pay gas and electric, owner pays waterThe 1st floor unit is a 2/1 rented for $1225, they have exclusive use of driveway, backyard and the basement. 2nd/3rd floor unit is listed as 3/1, however there is 2 bedrooms on the 3rd floor with a bathroom.

If you don't go all the way up the wall with the fireplace stone you could stage it with a big clock, piece of art or TV mounted above it.

My goal is to essentially build an annuity and slowly piece together a portfolio with stable cashflow.  

I always tell new people get funding first but that falls on deaf ears.

If this was an income producing property, I'd say to just close on it yourself then tack on any extra transaction costs to your indecisive/incompetent/scammy  buyer if they ever do come through.Because it's just a piece of ground, I'd be more hesitant to buy it, but your buyer sounds shady, Chris.