Mike Tenerelli not only has a background in Reality TV, but also in construction, management, and sales which have propelled his explosive growth in real estate!

Mike discusses his journey from flipping homes to helping others find the right property. He breaks down analyzing remote markets to find lucrative deals, growing a brokerage business, and adapting to the new NAR rules around buyer’s broker compensation. Mike shares tremendous insights on investment opportunities in prime western burbs and lessons learned from flipping gone wrong!

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: Mike Tenerelli, Exit Real Estate Partners

Link: Mike's Instagram

Link: One Rental at a Time (YouTube Channel)

Link: Lending One (Lender Referral)

Guest Questions

02:27 Housing Provider Tip - Plan accordingly when giving Section 8 tenants notice to vacate!

04:24 Intro to our guest, Mike Tenerelli!

09:18 Becoming a full time investor after 2 flips!

11:42 Learning the Milwaukee market.

20:54 Growing a brokerage business.

24:38 Dealing with new NAR compensation rules.

33:10 The 101 on the Western Burbs!

38:01 Consequences of Flipping Gone Wrong!

42:02 What is your competitive advantage?

42:40 One piece of advice for new investors.

43:28 What do you do for fun?

43:46 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 

44:07 Local Network Recommendation? 

44:46 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 2025.

When Does a 5 Day Notice Become a 30 Day Notice?

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: [email protected]

Guest: Mark Ainley, Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast

Link: Enforcing the CARES Act 30-Day Eviction Notice Requirement

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2025.

Sam Patterson is a successful Commercial Real Estate Broker, Investor, and Restaurant Owner with vast experience in renovation and property management!

Sam opens with his experience in commercial real estate receiverships and his start in investing! He touches on structuring and leveraging partnerships to scale a real estate portfolio. Sam discusses ins and outs of DeKalb including the housing stock and the investment opportunities. In sharing his project experiences, Sam speaks to seller financing, TIF funds, and various other concepts to add to your real estate toolbox!

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: Sam Patterson, RVG Commercial Real Estate Services | Email Sam ([email protected])

Link: Sheela Prahlad (Lender Referral)

Link: Rob Zahm (Roofer Referral)

Guest Questions

03:39 Housing Provider Tip - Take precautionary measures to deal with Chicago’s frigid temperatures!

05:40 Intro to our guest, Sam Patterson!

08:41 Crazy receivership stories and becoming an investor!

19:48 Why invest in West Chicago?

23:01 Structuring a partnership.

29:57 DeKalb’s housing stock and investment expectations.

38:38 How TIF funds work!

41:13 Surprises on a large commercial property renovation!

44:16 An overview of Sycamore.

50:24 Refinance terms on a commercial loan.

53:17 What’s next in Sam’s investment journey?

58:24 What is your competitive advantage?

59:19 One piece of advice for new investors.

60:11 What do you do for fun?

60:49 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 

61:32 Local Network Recommendation? 

62:11 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 2025.

Josh Bandoch is the Head of Policy at the Illinois Policy Institute where he works to spread awareness on improving housing policies to promote affordability and social mobility.

Josh starts by describing how he got into housing policy and the mission of the Illinois Policy Institute. He explains some of the prohibitive policies in Illinois that restrict development and the increase of housing supply. Josh discusses the power of ADUs to bring affordable housing supply and how other cities with less restrictions have successfully developed ADUs. He closes by explaining how Illinois can and should look at the policies in other states that have helped solve affordable housing and state debt issues. This is a great show to understand macro-level issues we deal with here in Illinois and how we can make our voice heard to help reach solutions!

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: Josh Bandoch, Illinois Policy Institute

Link: Josh's LinkedIn

Link: Thinking Fast and Slow (Book Recommendation)

Guest Questions

01:35 Housing Provider Tip - Keep heat on in vacant units to prevent pipe bursts and other issues during winter!

03:36 Intro to our guest, Josh Bandoch!

06:42 The Illinois Policy Institute and its mission!

13:21 Policies negatively impacting housing affordability.

24:23 Benefits of ADUs and restrictions in Illinois.

34:14 Places with the least amount of housing regulation.

38:05 Dissecting Illinois Property Taxes!

44:54 Looking outside of Chicago to solve Chicago’s problems!

47:47 What is your competitive advantage?

48:46 One piece of advice for new investors.

49:12 What do you do for fun?

49:47 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 

50:34 Local Network Recommendation? 

51:00 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 2025.

What IL rules changes do investors need to be aware of in 2025?

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: [email protected]

Guest: Mark Ainley, Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast

Link: Cook County Landlords Won’t Need Sheriff to Serve 2025 Notices

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2025.

Joey Turano is real estate broker and investor who has leveraged partnerships and low down payment loans to quickly build his multifamily buildings portfolio!

Joey starts by describing his “soul searching” journey in Europe and realizing that real estate would be his career path in life! He explains how he got scrapy to bring value to a Top Producing Real Estate agent and eventually joined the team to learn the ropes of real estate brokerage. Joey describes how he quickly purchased two househacks by leveraging low down payment loans and partnerships. He drops some hilarious horror stories on tenants and DIY projects and also reflects on his investment strategy and how it will be refined moving forward! This is another great show that demonstrates how taking action sooner than later is a key to success.

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Email the Show: [email protected]

Guest: Joey Turano, The Ben Lalez Team - Compass

Link: Joey's Instagram

Link: SUCI Ep 203 - Catalin Maticiuc

Link: Scott Schneiderman (Lender Referral)

Link: Extreme Ownership (Book Referral)

Guest Questions

03:31 Housing Provider Tip - Keep space heaters handy to be prepared for No Heat situations in winter!

06:16 Intro to our guest, Joey Turano!

10:33 Getting into real estate and choosing a team.

15:52 Working Zillow leads and getting into investing.

18:26 Strategies to get into REI!

21:36 Joey’s first deal.

26:51 Quickly buying deal #2.

30:20 Lessons from DIY projects and partnering with family.

35:09 Funny, horror stories!

38:20 Refining an investment strategy.

47:04 What is your competitive advantage?

47:45 One piece of advice for new investors.

48:32 What do you do for fun?

49:00 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 

49:32 Local Network Recommendation? 

50:21 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.

Boyan Salha is a seasoned General Contractor and the leader of his company Best Fit Homes. He joins us to share how he learned to source and renovate deals from working with a large investment group.

Boyan starts by explaining the investing lessons learned by working with a large investment group alongside previous guest Kirby Atwell! He breaks down how he sources and finances distressed properties. He discusses his flipping experiences and how margins have changed over the years. Boyan talks about building relationships with subcontractors and the value that a quality General Contractor brings to their client. This show is full of golden nuggets from the perspective of an investor GC!

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: Boyan Salha, Best Fit Homes

Link: SUCI Ep 321 - Kirby Atwell

Link: George Wyatt (Home Inspector Referral)

Link: Patrick Bet David (YouTube Channel)

Link: Atomic Habits (Book Recommendation)

Guest Questions

02:44 Housing Provider Tip - Adjust terms so rentals being marketed in the winter end during the spring/summer rental season.

05:17 Intro to our guest, Boyan Salha.

12:21 Connecting with Kirby Atwell and getting into real estate.

23:51 Starting a General Contracting business!

28:18 Financing distressed properties.

30:42 Transitioning from flips to owning rentals.

39:43 Working as a General Contractor for third parties.

42:31 Growing a team of sub-contractors and the value of a good GC!

48:58 Boyan’s investing strategy in 2024 and outlook on Chicago.

52:58 What is your competitive advantage?

53:30 One piece of advice for new investors.

54:35 What do you do for fun?

55:30 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 

57:08 Local Network Recommendation? 

58:36 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.

What do investors need to know about the new tenant credit report law?

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: [email protected]

Guest: Mark Ainley, Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast

Link: How 2025 Illinois Tenant Credit Report Law Impacts Landlords

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

Pete Neubig joins us to discuss how he built and sold a 7-figure property management company and started VPM Solutions; a platform designed to help property management and real estate professionals with staffing to improve efficiencies and profits!

Pete starts by explaining how he went from IT to building and selling a 7-figure property management company! He shares a brief horror story about getting sued for $1.5 million! He discusses how he started VPN Solutions on the “Who Not How” concept; Pete is leveraging remote staff to offload work to focus on higher-dollar activities. This show is packed with fantastic tips to help improve your business and grow your bottom line!

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: Pete Neubig, VPM Solutions

Link: NARPM Website

Link: Pete's LinkedIn

Link: Traction (Book Recommendation)

Guest Questions

03:08 Housing Provider Tip - Consider outsourcing all or select aspects of property management!

05:10 Intro to our guest, Pete Neubig!

9:27 Getting sued for $1.5 million!

11:21 Making the jump to start a business.

17:40 Finding a mentor / coach and growing a business!

27:58 Outsourcing property management!

39:04 Processes for hiring management personnel.

48:33 What is your competitive advantage?

49:05 One piece of advice for new investors.

49:15 What do you do for fun?

50:00 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 

50:25 Local Network Recommendation? 

50:42 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.

Susan Tjarksen is the Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield and has led the development of residential and commercial across the country!

Susan discusses her time in hotel management and shares some funny/horror stories! She explains how receiverships work and how investors can capitalize on this opportunity. She breaks down the nuances of large scale developments including insane time frames on projects of this magnitude. Susan fires us up with an epic rant on why Chicago is the place to be and is set up to continue growing and thriving!

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: Susan Tjarksen, Cushman & Wakefield

Link: SUCI Ep 29 - Ciere Boatright

Link: SUCI Ep 68 - Lee Kiser

Link: SUCI Ep 274 - Marc Rutzen

Link: The Overstory (Book Recommendation)

Guest Questions

04:02 Housing Provider Tip - Negotiate spring season exterior projects now to get the best pricing!

05:48 Intro to our guest, Susan Tjarksen!

8:57 Horror stories from Susan’s hotel management days!

12:25 Permitting/Zoning insights for large scale developments.

15:08 The Ins and Outs of Receivership. 

19:29 Establishing a real estate brokerage.

24:50 Transitioning to Cushman & Wakefield.

29:55 Considerations on large scale developments.

44:23 Reasons to be bullish on Chicago!

48:25 What is your competitive advantage?

48:53 One piece of advice for new investors.

49:20 What do you do for fun?

49:40 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 

50:28 Local Network Recommendation? 

51:00 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.