Finding your first flip is usually the hardest part, especially in tighter suburbs like DuPage where a lot of deals get picked over fast.A couple things that tend to help early on: narrowing your buy box really clearly (price range, rehab level, target ARV), and making sure you’re looking beyond just the MLS.

Three non-obvious ways I see work: get in tight with property managers and small landlords and buy their one-off problem houses before they ever list, make yourself the buyer every agent calls for the “bad listings” sitting with ugly photos/tenants/condition issues because you close clean with no drama, and pick 1–2 hungry newer wholesalers with no real buyer list and become their dependable closer so you get first look on everything instead of competing with every blast.

Being willing to pass until the numbers truly hold up has felt just as important as picking a strategy.

I've been learning about investing in apartments over the last 5 months and picked up some mentors who invest in different capacities.

Once you’re under contract, you’re no longer picking the right capital you’re taking whatever can still execute on the clock.Curious where people land on this. do you line up financing early, or rely on the deal itself to open doors  once it’s signed?

Week of January 26, 2026 in ReviewThe Fed hit pause at its first meeting of the year, President Trump named his pick for the next Federal Reserve chair, and new housing data showed buyer demand continues to prop up home prices.Here’s what matters and why it’s relevant right now.Trump Names Kevin Warsh as Next Fed Chair PickPresident Trump announced plans to nominate Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve, set to replace Jerome Powell when his term expires in May.Warsh previously served on the Fed’s Board of Governors from 2006–2011 and has long been vocal about inflation risks.

Curious as to why you picked this area?

Pick something you have knowledge about, can do where you live, are able to physically improve and train your negotiation and sales skills.

I suggest you pick the place you like better and if it does worse investment wise than the other, at least you are living where you most desire.Good luck

One thing that helped me early on: pick ONE strategy first (wholesaling, fix/flip, rentals) and get really good at it before expanding.