Quick next step: pick one lane and make five targeted touches this week to special assets officers and PMs, asking for small one-off notes to prove you can close.

My 3rd project was a ground new construction project in the Chicago Bucktown neighborhood.I'd highly suggest getting in touch with some active developers and spending as much time with them as possible. 

I would love to put you in touch.

New PM is in touch with the county code enforcement officer and explained all the timely repairs they are performing from time to time.

I'll be in touch. 

I'm based nearby in Georgia and would love to connect and learn from your experience.If you're open to it I'd really appreciate the chance to stay in touch or have you as my mentor as I grow and learn more about the development side of real estate.

This is who you actually need to get in touch with.  

Stay in touch with everyone you connect with and never stop. 

People often prioritize spending on high-touch items like mattresses, sofas, and dining chairs since guests notice comfort and durability the most.

Track patterns, not one-offs .Maintenance triageLife-safety and habitability = immediate.Nuisance items batched into one visit to save trip fees; set boundaries for light bulbs, loose handles, squeaky doors .HVAC filters and tune-ups on cadence with photo proof; replace only when failure or at turn unless risk dictates .Turn standardScope template: paint touch-up, flooring repair, caulk, deep clean, locks rekey, curb appeal.Do big upgrades at vacancy, not with tenants in place, unless safety or leakage forces it .PM accountabilityExpectations doc: response times, approval limits, photo receipts, monthly owner update.Calendar check-ins: delinquency on the 6th, vacancy every Friday, turns twice weekly until listed .Biggest time sinks and how to cut themBack-and-forth on minor work orders: batch and set thresholds; teach PM what’s urgent vs optional .Chasing updates: standardize touchpoints and require proof-in-photos for work done .Overpricing vacancies: use ranges, listen to PM’s on-the-ground read, and choose speed over squeezing the last bit on your first units .Quick wins when inquiries slowPhoto order: lead with the best exterior at golden hour, then kitchen, bath, best room.Price bracket tweak: drop to just under a common search filter and add a move-in credit line in the first sentence.First 5 photos tell the whole story: light, clean, and your three sell points up front.Your next movePick one property.