I’m finally getting serious about real estate investing to supplement my W2 income and work toward financial independence.A little about me—I’m a Marine Corps veteran and work in sales, helping businesses find the right CNC and fabrication equipment.

I manage my own properties while also working a 45-50 hr/week w2 job, training fabricators for a company that manufactures pharmaceutical pressure vessels in Springfield.I got my license in November of 2024 so I'm trying to learn multiple parts of this industry at the same time.

Many, through ego and or misplaced desire to be regarded as successful, fabricated their successes.  

Do not fabricate.

.⚠ Fabricated Offer Letter or Pay Stubs – Unfortunately, fake employment documents are common, and verification through HR is one of the best ways to confirm legitimacy.⚠ Unstable Employment – They may have lost the job or never actually started, making verification impossible.⚠ Other Issues – They could be hiding something (evictions, unpaid rent history, or other financial instability).What You Can Do:✔ Ask for the official employment verification letter – Many HR departments provide standard verification letters upon request.✔ Verify pay stubs – Cross-check them with bank statements to confirm deposits match.✔ Call the employer directly – If HR is off-limits, ask for a manager’s contact instead.✔ Stick to a Consistent Screening Process – Fair Housing laws require uniform screening criteria, so making an exception for one applicant could lead to discrimination claims.

Many landlords I know have gone through this...and you’d be surprised how much odor can stick to things like carpets, walls, and fabrics even with a no-smoking clause in the lease.

New doors, drawer fronts, and hardware.Option 2: Pre-fabricated shaker-style cabinets.Countertops ($1,750):Laminate countertops.Backsplash ($600):Basic ceramic tile.Flooring ($1,250):Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP).

Buy a quality couch from a US manufacturer and their fabrics are usually excellent.

Does anyone have recommendations for good, reasonably priced countertop installers/fabricators who do work in the north/northwest suburbs of Chicago, specifically around Prospect Heights?

For durability check the max weight and look for performance fabric options.