@Mike Williams , I'm not a lawyer so this isn't legal advice, but it would seem that you're bordering on blatantly discriminating against people with disabilities by excluding them out of hand.

For example the one that I live in I put in no pets, no smoking, no sublet, no waterbeds, no inflammatory speech displayed in window,  can't use the roof, decorations must not destroy walls. 

I haved near the border a few years and I know your probably better off just collecting the rent....

I read all these rules of thumb and realize they do not apply at all for California real estate (specifically Greater Los Angeles).I find it frustrating that it seems the general opinion is to invest in your home state first and then branch out across borders however with the overinflation of real estate prices in my area I don't see it feasible to pay such a great deal of money for so little of a property/no cash flow especially since its not my objective to speculate on appreciation.So far from my reading and learning I have decided I would like to focus on SFR/Multi-family.

Focus on arts, entertainment or business districts bordered by Maryland, I-15, Wyoming and US 95.

They ALL display a "file corrupted" message when I try to preview them on my computer.

and I like to think I knew this was going to happen,  but lo and behold the Graton Indians bought the 120 acres right across the street and built the largest Indian Gambling facility in northern CA. and my property got swept up into the city limits and rezone from AG to mixed use resi and commercial.. value today once permitted conservatively 2 to 3 million.. did it give me cash flow No not one dime.. could it have gone no were sure could of.. did I get lucky I do believe I did... but at the end of the day it was on the border of the city limits and there was a Homedepot anchored shopping center and a freeway interchange one block over.. so I thought Some day.. and in another 5 years I think I will cash in.... and or I will build it out.But by the time that happens I will have owned it 25 years or so...

We reserve the right to refuse rental to anyone who is verbally abusive, swears, is disrespectful, makes threats, has been drinking, is argumentative, or in general displays an attitude at the time of the showing or during the application process that causes management to believe we would not have a positive business relationship.MUST READ!!!

Did the tenant display disruptive behavior?

In the border cities (near WI and IN), population is declining as they migrate across the other states with lower property taxes.I agree with you: Chicago is NOT favorable for buy-and-hold...for CASHFLOW.