Straight Up Chicago Investor

Michelle starts by explaining both Chicago’s RLTO and Cook County’s RTLO, and the differences between the two ordinances. She gets granular on disclosures required from Housing Providers to remain in compliance with the ordinance(s) and breaks down security deposits and move-in fees. Michelle dives deep on the eviction process and shares resolution tips to aid with landlord-tenant issues. She closes with a 5 year outlook for her team at the Law Center for Better Housing to continue advocating for fair housing!

If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: [email protected]

Guest: Michelle Gilbert, Law Center for Better Housing (LCBH)

Link: Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD)

Link: Family Properties (Book Recommendation)

Link: SUCI Ep 42 - Bob Floss

Guest Questions

03:02 Housing Provider Tip - Regularly change your thermostat batteries to eliminate easy “No Heat” issues!

04:26 Intro to our guest, Michelle Gilbert!

05:55 Michelle’s involvement with the Chicago RLTO!

11:45 The Cook County RTLO!

17:52 Security Fee vs Non-Refundable Move-In Fee.

22:53 Properly disclosing exemptions.

30:38 Cook County eviction process.

35:33 How can Housing Providers and Tenants reach resolutions?

41:02 Refining tenant screening criteria to minimize discrimination.

48:08 5 Year Outlook for Michelle at LCBH!

51:37 What is your competitive advantage?

51:58 One piece of advice for new investors.

53:02 What do you do for fun?

54:16 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 

55:10 Local Network Recommendation? 

55:46 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

Aram Ghazaryan returns to explain how he transitioned from a successful RE broker to a flipper executing over ten profitable flips per year.

Aram starts by discussing his first multifamily investment which was a 7-unit building. He explains his decision to stop being an agent and jump into flipping properties full time. Aram shares tremendous lessons learned from flipping and has great insights on construction and financing. He breaks down his marketing strategy for deal flow to keep the flip projects coming along. Throughout the show, Aram demonstrates that taking action and surrounding yourself with a good construction and financing is the key to success in the flipping game!

If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: [email protected]

Guest: Aram Ghazaryan, AMG Realty | Follow Aram on Instagram (@AramGRealty)

Link: How to Win Friends and Influence People (Book Recommendation)

Link: The Book on Tax Strategies for Savvy Real Estate Investor

Link: Rudy Minasian (Attorney Referral)

Guest Questions

02:11 Housing Provider Tip - Be aware of landlord-tenant requirements around electric vehicle charging stations.

04:37 Intro to our guest, Aram Ghazaryan!

08:37 Purchasing a 7-unit building for the first time!

12:48 Stopping real estate brokerage to be a full time investor.

27:24 Finding contractors and lessons learned from flips!

30:12 Aram’s mailing campaign strategy!

36:19 Getting caught working without permits.

46:30 Liquidity requirements for flippers.

48:05 Aram’s geographical areas of interest moving forward.

49:47 What is your competitive advantage?

50:07 One piece of advice for new investors.

50:26 What do you do for fun?

51:34 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 

52:16 Local Network Recommendation? 

52:43 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

What can you cancel a contract for after all contingencies have passed?

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If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: [email protected]

Guest: Chance Badertscher of Lavelle Law

Link: Build Your Team | Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

Zack Limbaugh of the Limbaugh Law Firm provides his clients with legal representation and strategy to remedy Building Code Violations and other matters associated with Chicago Buildings!

Zack starts by explaining how he got his foot in the door with the City of Chicago before becoming an attorney and leveraged those relationships to build a niche in legally handling Building Code Violations! Zack talks about top considerations when seeking financing on violation properties. He then breaks down dealing with stop work orders and demo court properties. In this show, Zack provides tremendous insights on how to search for and understand violations to give you an edge over your competition!

If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: [email protected]

Guest: Zack Limbaugh, The Limbaugh Law Firm

Link: A People's History of the United States (Book Recommendation)

Link: SUCI Ep 79 - Gary Davidson (Castle Law)

Guest Questions

02:04 Housing Provider Tip - Write down and stick to your tenant screening criteria!

04:05 Intro to our guest, Zack Limbaugh!

10:20 Starting off as an Attorney specializing in Chicago Building Violations!

16:53 Discovering and assessing Building Code Violations.

30:25 How to find out if violations are active.

32:26 Getting financing on properties with violations.

39:17 Dealing with Stop Work Orders!

46:37 Demo Court properties.

51:41 What is your competitive advantage?

51:52 One piece of advice for new investors.

52:16 What do you do for fun?

52:37 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 

53:03 Local Network Recommendation? 

53:21 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

Joey Halperin is a real estate broker and developer with vast experience in ground up development and renovation projects across Chicago!

Joey starts by explaining how he left the corporate world to jump into general contracting and real estate brokerage! He gets granular on difficult renovation projects and the importance of having skilled contractors to help assess and mitigate risk. Joey discusses how he's finding deal flow in this tough market and explains how understanding Zoning can be a cheat code. He closes with a bullish outlook on Lincoln Square and other “path of progress” neighborhoods!

If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: [email protected]

Guest: Joey Halperin, Halperin & Schatz Real Estate Group

Link: Joey's Instagram

Link: SUCI Ep 236 - Alex Morsch

Link: Alex Bok (Network Referral)

Guest Questions

01:39 Housing Provider Tip - Prepare your tenants for issues that may arise during the winter season!

03:50 Intro to our guest, Joey Halperin!

11:55 Joey’s start in real estate development.

19:24 Getting into residential real estate brokerage.

23:33 Joey’s investment portfolio and neighborhoods of interest.

27:11 Taking on tough rehab projects.

33:10 Finding deal flow in this competitive market.

40:05 Neighborhoods that Joey is bullish on!

48:54 What is your competitive advantage?

49:37 One piece of advice for new investors.

50:35 What do you do for fun?

51:27 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 

52:31 Local Network Recommendation? 

53:44 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

Which South Side neighborhoods have been the biggest surprise and which neighborhoods have the most potential?

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If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: [email protected]

Guest: Aaron Sklar, Kiser Group

Link: Episode 141: Straight Up Tues Tip 29 - Noah Birk and Aaron Sklar Sit Down to Explain How Investors New To The Multifamily Space Can Catch A Broker's Eye

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

James Erwin has decades of experience practicing Real Estate Law and is a board member of the NSBC!

James starts by breaking down the legal ins and outs for condo deconversions. He dives deep on the process for clearing building violations on properties including tips to keep the City and lenders happy. James explains the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and everything that must be disclosed in order to stay compliant. Throughout the show, James displays his deep knowledge of real estate law and how his firm is providing top notch service to their clients!

If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: [email protected]

Guest: James Erwin, Erwin Law

Link: FinCEN

Link: James' Contact Info

Link: The 4 Pillars of Critical Thinking (Book Recommendation)

Link: Make Your Bed (Book Recommendation)

Link: NBOA Chicago

Guest Questions

03:15 Housing Provider Tip - Plan your fall cleanups to adjust for an extended summer season.

04:35 Intro to our guest, James Erwin!

09:43 Legal process for condo conversions.

19:17 Attorney’s role in acquisition of large portfolios.

24:44 Process of clearing property violations!

35:42 What is the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)?

45:06 How to comply with CTA

47:00 What is your competitive advantage?

48:18 One piece of advice for new investors.

49:00 What do you do for fun?

49:09 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 

49:45 Local Network Recommendation? 

50:36 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

Sean Douglas of the Axon Group discusses his adventurous start to his real estate journey!

Sean began his investment career when he inherited his grandparent’s home, which after numerous setbacks, he eventually flipped! He breaks down how he jumped into the deep end by doing construction himself. After having a contractor steal $7000 from him, Sean recaps the long days of work that it took to get his flip project to the finish line. Sean also shares details on his 4-unit house hack and considerations when investing in “picky” towns and villages. Throughout the show, Sean demonstrates how his perseverance and discipline have allowed him to get past difficult situations and become a stronger investor and person!

If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: [email protected]

Guest: Sean Douglas, The Axon Group

Link: A Book of Five Rings (Book Recommendation)

Link: Can't Hurt Me (Book Recommendation)

Link: Kevin Kaspers (Lender Referral)

Link: On Target Home Inspection (Referral)

Link: Aparicio Law (Referral)

Guest Questions

02:19 Housing Provider Tip - Be aware of permit and inspection requirements from municipalities!

04:48 Intro to our guest, Sean Douglas!

09:06 Sean’s start in investing.

11:54 Inheriting your grandparent’s home.

15:03 Leveraging BiggerPockets to find resources!

21:22 Early (goofy) mistakes and learning construction.

28:29 Disposition of crazy flip project!

32:56 Life post flip project.

40:04 Sean’s 4-unit house hack adventure.

49:17 From real estate inspector to broker.

58:23 What is your competitive advantage?

58:53 One piece of advice for new investors.

59:14 What do you do for fun?

59:22 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 

60:15 Local Network Recommendation? 

60:56 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

What should I focus on in negotiating a multifamily transaction?

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If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: [email protected]

Guest: Noah Birk, Kiser Group

Link: Kiser Group

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

Luke Blahnik returns to educate us on the new Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance.

Luke jumps right in by explaining the ins and outs of the expansion of the Predominance of the Block (606) District under this new ordinance. He breaks down the increased fees to demolish a multi-unit building, limitations on building single family homes, and requirements for selling a tenant-occupied building in the area. Luke, Mark, and Tom discuss how the Ordinance will not be able to accomplish the goal of preserving affordable housing and instead could have negative impacts to landlords and tenants. A main takeaway from today’s show is to stay involved in housing provider communities and make your voice heard to stop policies that do not help landlords, tenants, and/or the City of Chicago as whole.

If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: [email protected]

Guest: Luke Blahnik, Flora | Blahnik @properties

Link: Flora Blahnik Instagram

Link: SUCI Ep 32 - Luke Blahnik's First Episode

Link: Unreasonable Hospitality (Book Recommendation)

Link: Copy of Ordinance

Guest Questions

03:13 Housing Provider Tip - Stay involved in your community so your voice is heard.

04:53 Intro to our guest, Luke Blahnik!

05:27  The “Northwest Preservation Ordinance” Explained.

19:32 Exemptions for the Ordinance.

19:10 Benefits of raising capital and passive investments!

22:40 Groups most impacted by the Ordinance.

36:28 What’s next following the implementation of the Ordinance?

39:49 What is your competitive advantage?

40:24 One piece of advice for new investors.

40:42 What do you do for fun?

41:18 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 

41:46 Local Network Recommendation? 

42:31 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.