Straight Up Chicago Investor

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**Straight Up Chicago Investor**

Are you a real estate investor in Chicago or someone looking to invest in the Chicagoland Market? If so, this podcast is for you! We break down the neighborhoods, different sides of the city, and surrounding suburbs so you can understand the uniqueness of investing in Chicago real estate.

The hosts and guests are Chicago investors and Property Managers who are making it happen in and around the Windy City. We share information, winning strategies, obstacles, success stories, and most importantly, lessons learned. If you are looking for ground level information and want to learn what has worked and not worked in Chicago, you are in the right place.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 313: Why Are Insurance Rates So High Right Now and What Can Investors Do to Minimize Premiums? Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

Why are insurance rates so high right now?

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guests: Josh Steigelmann, State Farm Insurance

Link: Investor Stories Featuring Sean Morrissey

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 312: Redeveloping Over 2100 Units in Underserved Communities with Bernel Hall Aug 01, 2024

Show notes

Bernel Hall is the president and CEO of New Jersey Community Capital and has executed over $5 billion in real estate investments and lending.

Bernel starts off by explaining how playing Monopoly sparked his interest in real estate as a kid! He discusses how he got involved with public housing developments and gives his take on ways housing authorities can improve efficiencies. Bernel shares his proudest development story which involved the creation of the New Jersey Land Bank and the massive impact it had on the community. In this episode, Bernel motivates with his distinguished resume and initiative to redevelop and bring positive change to underserved communities!

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: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Bernel Hall, New Jersey Community Capital

Link: Purpose Brand Public Relations

Link: SUCI Ep 137 - Morgan Malone

Link: SUCI Ep 38 - Rob Rose

Link: SUCI Ep 45 - Jack Crane (CIC)

Link: Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant (Book Recommendation)

Guest Questions

03:20 Housing Provider Tip - Use Google Earth as a tool for property due diligence!

05:43 Intro to our guest, Bernel Hall!

12:59 Getting involved with public housing development.

16:00 How to improve efficiencies in public housing.

20:30 Bernel's proudest redevelopment!

30:58 Challenges of making public and private housing groups work together.

38:36 What's next for Bernel?

41:11 5 Year outlook on commercial real estate.

42:12 What is your competitive advantage?

43:28 One piece of advice for new investors.

44:02 What do you do for fun?

44:12 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

44:48 Local Network Recommendation?

45:44 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Special NBOA Soiree Announcement Jul 30, 2024

Show notes

Tom welcomes President of the Neighborhood Building Owner's Alliance, Mike Glasser, for a special announcement about their upcoming 12th Annual NBOA Summer Soiree. You don't want to miss it!

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: NBOA (Neighborhood Building Owner's Alliance) President, Mike Glasser

Link: 12th Annual NBOA Summer Soiree

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 311: Managing and Operating 100+ Units at 25 Years Old with James Thompson Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

James Thompson is broker and property manager with vast experience acquiring, renovating, and managing apartment buildings all at the young age of 25 years old!

James shares the early grind required to get off the ground in the commercial real estate game! He discusses the biggest lessons learned from renovating and managing 100+ apartments. James gives the scoop on investing in student housing and also provides some good REI horror stories. James closes with great advice for newer investors and a positive outlook on Chicago!

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: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: James Thompson, Triton Realty Group

Link: SUCI Ep 22 - Matt Fritzshall (Network Referral)

Link: Morning Brew Daily (Podcast Recommendation)

Link: Jay Parsons (Rental Housing Economist)

Link: Jay Martin - Article on Rent Control Drawbacks

Guest Questions

03:30 Housing Provider Tip - Be aware of required inspections when replacing hot water heaters!

05:36 Intro to our guest, James Thompson!

09:37 The grind of starting in commercial real estate.

17:22 Biggest lessons learned from construction and management of buildings!

22:50 The 101 on student housing.

26:32 Growing the management company and horror stories!

35:15 Advice for new and aspiring investors.

37:07 James' outlook on Chicago.

43:55 What is your competitive advantage?

44:27 One piece of advice for new investors.

44:57 What do you do for fun?

45:08 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

45:37 Local Network Recommendation?

46:16 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 310: Guidelines Investors Can Utilize To Estimate Rehab Costs Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

What Are Some High-Level Guidelines Chicago Investors Can Leverage to Estimate Rehab Costs?

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guests: Jonathan Klemm, Quality Builders

Link: Episode 76: Big Business Processes Make a Powerful Small Business with Jonathan Klemm

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 309: How To Build a Community of Experts and Influencers with Tony Arce Jul 18, 2024

Show notes

Tony Arce and his Team at The Face of Community & Business provide a media platform for leaders in business to connect, teach, and grow together.

Tony starts by sharing how he discovered his passion for media and creating human-to-human connections not only in his personal life but in business. He explains how this passion sparked the idea of creating The Face of Community & Business (TFOCB); a media platform that allows for the creation of professional communities across different businesses. Tony discusses the importance of building a brand and influence to set your business up for success. Throughout the episode, Tony shares great insights on being a connector and creating business communities.

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: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guests: Tony Arce, The Face of Community & Business

Link: TFOCB's Instagram

Link: Never Split the Difference (Book Recommendation)

Link: LaQuan Henley (Network Referral)

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Guest Questions

02:31 Housing Tip Limit your vacancy by pricing your units appropriately to end this leasing season!

04:35 Intro to our guest, Tony Arce!

11:32 The Creation of TFOCB.

19:38 Common mistakes when building a business and a brand!

25:07 Creating a platform for content creators and influencers.

33:05 The Importance of Events for Building a Community.

45:53 What's next for Tony?

50:21 What is your competitive advantage?

50:48 One piece of advice for new investors.

51:36 What do you do for fun?

52:18 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

53:06 Local Network Recommendation?

53:49 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 308: D1 Athlete's Journey: From Immigrant to Finance Mentor with Alex Filin Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

Alex Filin is a seasoned Loan Office, Coach, and Investor with over $385 Million in funded loans!

Alex shares his upbringing as an immigrant in America, experiences that cultivated grit, and his journey to becoming a D1 football player! He discusses his successful career shift to mortgage lending where he closed $95 million in funded loans in the first 5 years. Alex emphasizes the importance of having mentors, being coachable, and surrounding yourself with people you want to be like. Alex closes with empowering words on "getting into the game" now and having integrity in business and in life!

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: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guests: Alex Filin, Vybe Mortgage

Link: Alex's Instagram

Link: Growth Only Coaching

Link: SUCI Ep 205 - Nick Chaplain (Life Insurance)

Link: Horacio Tristan (Network Referral)

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Guest Questions

02:33 Housing Provider Tip - Prevent wire fraud by calling the title company to confirm wire instructions.

04:51 Intro to our guest, Alex Filin!

18:48 Alex's career shift to mortgage lending!

22:18 Tips to get started in real estate.

28:20 How to be coachable.

34:04 Alex's start to investing!

44:27 Alex's 10 year forecast in real estate.

47:57 What is your competitive advantage?

48:57 One piece of advice for new investors.

49:49 What do you do for fun?

50:48 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

51:38 Local Network Recommendation?

52:07 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 307: Steps For Investors To Take During the Tax Off-Season Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

What Steps Should Investors Take During the Tax-Offseason to Minimize Tax Liability?

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Michael Procaccio, Pro Financial Services Group Inc

Link: Build Your Team | Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 306: Drugs, Death, and Big Mistakes Never Spoken Of with Mark Ainley Jul 04, 2024

Show notes

The tables turn this week as Mark Ainley gets interviewed by Tom Shallcross, returning the favor from Episode 235 (episode link in show notes)!

Tom starts by asking Mark about his childhood and upbringing; spoiler alert - there is mention of Mark's frosted-tips phase while vacationing in Mexico!! Mark breaks down his start in real estate, the genesis of GC Realty & Development, and the early REI ventures that he and his business partner Bryan took on. He discusses his experience with repositioning office buildings and industrial investments displaying the range of his investing journey. Mark closes with tremendous insights on his most recent project involving rehabbing of a residential property and partnering up with a younger investor. This episode is full of golden nuggets and funny stories that you won't want to miss!

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: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guests: Mark Ainley, GC Realty & Development

Link: Mark's Instagram

Link: SUCI Ep 235 - Tom Shallcross

Link: John Warren's Meetup

Link: NBOA - 2024 Summer Soiree

Link: Bibek Das (Network Referral)

Link: The Psychology of Money (Book Recommendation)

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Guest Questions

04:15 Intro to our special guest, Mark Ainley!

15:04 The Genesis of GC Realty!

19:50 GC Realty's shift to property management.

21:55 Navigating the Housing Crash.

39:23 Shift to industrial investments.

48:00 Jumping back into rehabbing properties!

61:11 What is your competitive advantage?

61:38 One piece of advice for new investors.

62:08 What do you do for fun?

63:05 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

64:04 Local Network Recommendation?

64:46 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 305: Three Chicago Pockets No One is Talking About With Sarita Scherpereel and Megan Osberger Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

Sarita Scherpereel and Megan Osberger join us to discuss three overlooked neighborhoods and why they anticipate tremendous growth in those areas!

Sarita and Megan start by discussing how a new Metra stop in the Andersonville and Edgewater neighborhoods is going to take that area to the next level! They break down the new CTA green line stop at Damen/Lake and explain the growth that it could bring to the United Center area and surrounding neighborhoods. The duo shifts west to share insights on the "Triangle" west of Humboldt Park. They drop nuggets on the housing stack and the renovation required to achieve maximum ROI. Sarita and Megan close with an extremely bullish outlook on Chicago and empowering words on why now is the time to take action!

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: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guests: Sarita Scherpereel and Megan Osberger, Straight Up Sarita Sells Team

Link: Jim Erwin (Network Referral)

Link: Straight Up Sarita Sells Meetup

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Guest Questions

01:52 Housing Provider Tip - Tips on providing a 5-Day notice.

03:57 Intro to our guests, Sarita Scherpereel and Megan Osberger!

04:33 New Peterson-Ridge Metra Stop in Andersonville/Edgewater!

11:44 Upside brought by the new Damen Green Line Stop!