You most likely will need to go this route (LLC) for what you are trying to do.

Our evictions only take about a month, but they cost $600-$800; so that's enough incentive for me to go the alternative route.

Having said all that, I'm sure there are great resources on here to get started learning if you choose that route, and good luck!

Then it is no surprise to the tenant and demonstrates we are attentive and serious about rent.Since you lack documentation from the bank about the previous landlord-tenant agreements, try to get that information from each tenant, either by conversation, by them giving you a copy of their previous rental agreement or if necessary by the more formal estoppel route.

This is my first forum question.I have about $50k equity in my primary residence, and was wondering if it would be advisable to use that equity to get my first investment home.If so, what route should I take: Home Equity Loan, HELOC, cash out refi???

I neglected to ask if there were local organizations that could help with that sort of thing, but I'm willing to bet he's already tried that route if it exists.It got me thinking that this could be a good niche to get into. 

Obviously not the cheapest route but could be potentially viable for someone without access to other capital.

So even though you won't receive as much money you also don't NEED as much money to buy.Being that these are your first few properties I would recommend to at least explore the conventional route. 

I currently own a piece of land near downtown Chicago and am wondering if the best route to go would be to eventually build something on it.

Here's an article I wrote in my BP blog on Three Key Routes for Passive Real Estate Investing that might help you think through.