But with bigger deals, it’s easier to lose sight of the actual deal, because the proformas get more complicated, data is less widely available, etc.  

Look for wide brim felt hats and bearded men with bald fade haircuts.  

@Walter FabiszewskiAfter being a tenant myself for 10 years, in 2009 I bought a single wide for 10,000 and put it on a lot in the country for $100/mo and lived cheap.

A technique I have seen but not used personally is this:Get a set of thin strips of plywood -- maybe an inch wide and one-fourth of an inch thick.

It varies very, very widely because I Have loans with 2 banks, 4 different investors, and 5 properties on seller finance and each one has their own structure/setup.

Texas has a wide range of multi family properties 2-4 units.I say only 2-4 because you can get a 30 year fixed but with 5+ units you won't be able to take advantage of that fix rate for 30 years

Chicago is indeed a vibrant market with many opportunities, especially in the multifamily sector.Here are some tips and considerations as you prepare for your move and property purchase in Chicago:Research Neighborhoods: Chicago is a varied city with a wide range of neighborhoods, each with special qualities and investment opportunities of its own.

This is an interesting - and widely ignored - issue.Everyone complains about the lack of housing in our country.

Set yourself a budget (even if it is just for practice)  without this your view is generally too wide and your knowledge becomes a mile wide and an inch deep. 

These are NOT your friends who happen to be realtors that sell houses part time, and it's not a quick Zillow search for "best realtor in my area", these agents need to be ones that work extensively with investors of a wide variety.