I'm just curious does anyone use a home warranty company, such as American Home Shield as their so-called maintenance person.

If you are in the 37% tax bracket, the goal is to be cash-flow on an investment and have that income being shielded(by depreciation) so it isin't taxed at 37%.once you go above the $200,000 purchase price point, it is harder to find properties that will cash-flow with the typical 20% down payment.Best of luck to you.

Another question that I'd really appreciate your thoughts on: I've been living here in Portland, Oregon for a little over a year and recently got my license to be a real estate agent (though I haven't yet hung my shield with an agency).

I was wondering it there is a type of account I can put the money I set aside for repairs in that would shield it from taxes?

@Sharon Shields Welcome to Houston and BiggerPockets!

They allow you to transfer ownership from you the individual to your LLC which shields your personal assets from any law suits.Secondly, once that is set-up, You'll put your LLC down on the purchase contracts as the buyer of the property and it is good to get in with a HML or Private Equity Lender and let them vet you. 

What would you do in the case that the tenants are at-risk for the virus or do not feel comfortable having someone walk through their house at this time?

It just creates a shield legally. 

@Charlie Shields or @Brie Schmidt would know more about the zoning laws in Chicago.

I have an American Home Shield Warranty on a single family, 3&2, rental property I have (its my first rental and things are going well) and it costs me a $550/ year or $45/month.