I realize that this post is from 7 years ago, BUT if you ever need someone licensed in both states, I also have access to the MLS in Illinois and Northwest Indiana and own properties in the area :) NWI is an amazing place to invest and I am now trying to sell some of my Chicago properties to go all in Northwest Indiana 😃

You came to the right place!

If you are looking to make some money and have a place to use 4-5 times a year, then from that aspect it's a great investment but solely looking at numbers I could find others that perform much better.  

Starting LTR investment and working to find good deals.

It's no guarantee but it's a good place to start.

Sure, you can put 10% down if you'll call the place a second home (STR is totally fine for that), but your pricing (again, rate and points options) is much higher when you put less than 10% down, and you'll have mortgage insurance for a while as well. 

I never really run an analysis on these type of deals and wanted to get some help before I started talking numbers.

If you just hire the cheapest or first PMC you speak with and it turns into a bad experience, please don’t assume ALL PMC’s are bad and start trashing PMC’s in general.

*Started to network with other investors, agents, and lenders*Looking daily at a small, single market to understand list prices, days on market, price reductions.

To start it, will need to get the utility gas service turned on and then perhaps get a plumber out to start if and checkout everything.