But here’s the flip side that many don't see:The Bar is Lower (in a good way): The "low-hanging fruit" is gone.

I would take some deep breaths, sit tight for a bit and enjoy the fruits of your labor! 

Hope it's fruitful for you!

Investing in real estate is like planting trees, they do not bear shade or fruit in the first few years, if your horizon is 10+ years you will be very happy you took action earlier in life.

With Food Stamps you could not buy junk food and beer.Before that, poor people could visit a state run facility where they could pick up cheese,  milk, eggs, flour, bread, meat, peanut butter, potatoes, fruit, produce etc that the government bought as excess products.

Financially, Illinois is a basket case, and Chicago even worse.

Which in a way, is fair, but I believe this is their loop hole to only fund the low hanging fruit deals, and stick people with a bill of 4-7k and a property search app that isn’t that good in the first place. anyway, I am always looking to connect, dining the next project, and get it funded!

This is just one example of the many ways to make money in RE.Look at vacation rentals to try and make money and have a place to go on vacation but look all around at other RE opportunities to make money and don't put all your eggs in the same basket.  

Beyond that, adding popular amenities that your competition doesn't have is a low hanging fruit. 

It is as easy to pick out as a wrotten apple in a basket.