Regarding your third question, our market is moving so quickly, the part time agents (without team support) struggle big time to get in to houses and to service their clients effectively.

I am looking for a lawyer to help with forming an LLC and to have in the future for any other rental property issues, does anyone have any referrals for attorneys in Chicago?

Talk to your lawyer/realtor and make sure that is in there.

I'm not a lawyer, but when they added wording "any animal", I believe that makes it a little difficult. 

What can more dramatically effect your investment is which street and neighborhood within those metros you are on.  

Remember you have to take different actions to have different results, so make sure you understand the market needs and catch up with trends.2) Cold Calling always works.This old but effective technique always works.

You can give them a new lease with an effective date the day after expiration and they can choose to sign and stay or to move out at the end of their current lease.If they are on a month-to-month lease, then you can make any changes you want with 30-day notice.

Didn't effect my loan amount, but you very well could get that $325k from a new appraiser, if there are new comps, or now that some work has been done, etc.

All other terms remain in effect.

Last year, I called several lawyers to only be told "be patient because there is nothing we can do".