Straight Up Chicago Investor

Latest Episodes:

Episode 104: From Unpaid Intern to Running the City of Chicago's Building Department Nov 24, 2021

Show notes

Today, Tom and Mark have an excellent conversation with Judy Frydland, who served as the commissioner of buildings for the City of Chicago from 2015-2020. A lot happened under her leadership including the streamlining of the permit process to make it simpler and more efficient than ever to get work done. Listen in on her story for some excellent advice on life and business and where Chicago is going from here. If you like today's episode, be sure to leave us a review and share it with a friend.

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Judy Frydland

Link: Alternative Code Approval Request (ACAR) Process

Link: Michael Glasser. - President - Magellen Properties

Sponsors: Appeal.tax and Cost Seg Kev

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Guest Questions

Career progression and permit process changing 7:30

What was the hardest obstacle when transforming the department? 26:00

Nuances regarding Chicago building code? 28:15

What are you spending time on now? 32:30

What would you like to see more of? 34:30

Thoughts on ADU ordinance? 37:00

Wrap Up Questions

What was your competitive advantage? 42:30

Advice for new investors? 45:00

What do you do for fun? 46:20

Self development activity? 47:40

Network recommendation? 48:15

How can we learn more about you? 49:15

That's our show! See you next week!

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 103: How to Handle Mold in Chicago with Greg Bukowski and Devin Renberg Nov 18, 2021

Show notes

MOLD! It's the scary four-letter word that investors never want to hear and it does not belong in a healthy property. However, a basic understanding of mold and its misconceptions in the marketplace will make you a better investor.

After having a bad experience with a mold company, investor Greg Bukowsi saw a need in the market and made it his mission to assist similar investors with mold issues. In today's episode, Greg and Devin explain what causes mold, why the Chicago market is ripe for mold problems, and how to analyze and tackle mold issues small or large.

Please take ten seconds and leave us a review!!!!

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Greg Bukowski and Devin Renberg of Moldman Chicago & St. Louis

Link: Reducing Your Exposure To Mold

Link: Mold and Your Health

Link: Mold

Sponsors: Appeal.tax and Essex

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Guest Questions

Get ready for winter, avoid frozen pipe lines. 01:20

Why I love being in the mold business 10:23

Key conditions for mold to grow 15:18

How do you know if there is mold behind the drywall?18:36

Protect yourself before buying mold issues 19:52

What is the root cause of Mold in Chicago or the Midwest? 22:28

Is it smart to use a store bought mold kit? 24:34

The relation between humidity and mold 26:54

How can I prevent mold in Chicago garden apartments 31:13

Wrap Up Questions

Good news...it isn't always mold! 33:01

Difference between black mold & regular mold? 35:02

What to say as a Chicago landlord when mold is reported by a tenant 39:45

What makes a great mold vendor in Chicago? 43:54

One specific piece of advice you would tell someone that is yet to buy their first property here in the Chicagoland area. 45:26

That's our show! Thanks for listening!

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 102: Straight Up Tuesday Tip 16 - Sharad Mehta Answers "How do I pull information and begin a direct mailing campaign?" Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

How do I pull information and begin a direct mailing campaign?

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Sharad Mehta of REsimpli

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 101: Investing in Will County: Mokena, Frankfort, and New Lenox with Jason Marcordes Nov 11, 2021

Show notes

Will County is one of the fastest growing counties in Illinois, and when compared to Cook County, it offers a faster growth rate and a lot more room for development and expansion.

As a second generation property manager and investor, Jason Marcodes from Landmark Property Manager, not only grew up in Will County, but grew up in the business. Today he outlines the economic growth in the far south and southwest suburbs while providing valuable data regarding population expansion in Mokena, Frankfort and New Lenox. Jason also explains how investors can find this information and leverage it to predict future growth.

Listen in and if you find value in today's episode, please leave us a review!

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Jason Marcordes of Landmark Realty Group

Link: Will County Illinois

Link: Will County Illinois > Residents > Property Taxes and Fees

Link: Will County, Illinois Population 2021

Link: Economic Development - Mokena IL

Sponsor: Appeal.tax

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Guest Questions

Housing Provider Tip of the Week 3:41

Guest Intro 6:54

How does Will County differ from Cook County 8:34

What to expect when investing in Mokena 10:39

Where is there opportunity in Mokena? 11:41

Real estate investing in Will County vs Cook County 13:46

Real estate investing & housing stock in Mokena 16:17

Property taxes in Mokena, Will County 20:51

The explosive growth in New Lenox 24:31

Wrap Up Questions

How difficult Is It to be A housing provider in Will County? 26:50

Mokena's Comprehensive Plan for a Growing population 28:00

Housing stocks in Mokena, New Lenox, and Frankfurt 29:27

As an investor where can I research statistics and growth plans? 31:39

Who lives in Frankfort, Illinois? 35:55

Dealing with the Village in New Lenox & Frankfort 39:27

Is There an opportunity to invest In Manhattan? 43:10

Looking To buy my 1st Investment in Mokena, Frankfort, or New Lenox 50:09

That's our show! Thanks for listening!

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 100: A Group of Straight Up Chicago Investors Celebrate The Live Recording of Episode 100 Nov 04, 2021

Show notes

In our first live recording, we celebrate 100 episodes by asking questions to the audience (see how many answers you know) and also answering multiple questions from attendees. We discuss our favorite parts of the podcast, lessons learned from interviewing multiple Chicago rockstars, whom we still want to interview, and the future of the Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast.

A sincere thank you to all who have listened, supported, and shared our content. We strongly believe in this community that you are helping to shape and we look forward to doing another 100 episodes with you.

"I give you Chicago. It is not London and Harvard. It is not Paris and buttermilk. It is American in every chitling and sparerib. It is alive from snout to tail." —H. L. Mencken, journalist and cultural critic

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 99: Straight Up Tuesday Tip 15 - Jared Kott Answers "What are some tips on how to best screen workforce housing tenants?" Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

What are some tips on how to best screen workforce housing tenants?

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Jared Kott of Marblestone Properties

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 98: What is Happening to Chicago Property Taxes? Oct 28, 2021

Show notes

As this episode airs, several of the Chicago townships have already been reassessed, leaving many owners with an unpleasant increase in property taxes. Returning guest Tim Jacobs of KSN Law (appeal.tax), joins us to discuss what he's seen in the Chicago townships that have been reassessed, and what he feels will happen in several townships about to be reassessed. Tim walks through the basics of how to look up your assessed value, calculate your taxes, and most importantly how to appeal your property taxes. Tim explains the appeal process, what data you can use to your advantage, and how to leverage a professional if you choose to engage one.

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Tim Jacobs from Appeal.tax

Link: Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business: Wickman, Gino: 0783324916904

Link: Cook County Assessor's Office: We are Here to Help

Link: Cook County Treasurer's Office - Chicago, Illinois

Link: Law Offices of Naheed A. Amdani, PC – What is a Real Estate Tax Reproration Agreement?

Link: KSN Law

Link: Ted Kuhlmann, Real Estate Agent in Chicago - Compass

Sponsor: Prime Lending Sponsor: Appeal.tax

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Guest Questions

Understanding tax data 5:00

How have different townships been affected in Chicagoland? 9:15

How vacancy can change your tax assessment. 17:30

Do non paying tenants affect tax assessments? 24:00

Wrap Up Questions

What is your competitive advantage? 37:15

Advice for a new investor? 38:00

What do you do for fun? 39:00

Self development activity? 39:45

Network recommendation? 40:30

How can we learn more about you? 41:00

That's our show! Thanks for listening!

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 97: Chicago Permits and Zoning 101 with Samuel Pavlovcik Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

Samuel Pavlovcik is a distinguished self-certified architect who specializes in working with investors in Chicago and the surrounding villages and suburbs. Today Samuel walks us through the different permits in Chicago, the nuances of Chicago's permitting process, and also what to expect when applying for a zoning variance. Samuel presents a candid overview consisting of expected wait times, gotchas to avoid, and what investors need to know and provide based on his experience of processing 100+ permits per year. Samuel provides a ton of valuable information that can set you up for success and minimize your headaches when dealing with the city.

Referenced zoning cheat sheet - https://www.straightupchicagoinvestor.com/zoning-cheat-sheet

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Samuel Pavlovcik of Pavlovcik Architecture

Link: Additional Dwelling Units (ADU) Ordinance

Link: Zoning rules - Chicago

Link: How to Win Friends & Influence People: Dale Carnegie: 8937485909400

Link: Stop Working and Start Living: How Building Your Dream Business Can Transform Your Life!

Link: Home - Institute for Housing Studies - DePaul University

Link: Chicago Residential Zoning Cheat Sheet

Sponsor: Appeal.tax

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Guest Questions

How did you get into architecture? 6:00

Intro to Chicago permit process? 8:00

What does it take to be self certified? 9:45

Why would someone not get self certified? 11:30

What action always requires full plans and permits? 14:50

Differences in zoning categories? 22:30

How to get a zoning change? 27:15

Why is RM-5 beneficial to an investor? 29:50

What is Floor Area Ratio? 31:30

How does the ADU ordinance benefit investors and what is the process like? 34:30

Wrap Up Questions

What is your competitive advantage? 40:00

Advice for new investors? 41:15

What do you do for fun? 41:45

Self Development activity? 42:10

Local Network Recommendation? 43:15

That's our show! Thanks for listening!

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 96: Straight-Up Tuesday Tip 14 - Jared Kott Answers "How can I successfully operate properties in C/D areas?" Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

How can I successfully operate properties in C/D areas?

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Jared Kott of Marblestone Properties

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Episode 95: Navigating the Ins and Outs of Affordable Housing Oct 14, 2021

Show notes

After being routinely recognized as a successful multifamily broker, Kyle Shoemaker set out to create a rare brokerage that focuses solely on affordable housing. Kyle is a true expert and walks us through the nuances of affordable housing and unique challenges and opportunities presented in this space. Affordable housing can be complicated, which is why so few people specialize in it, but it is a great way to provide a seriously underserved need while sustaining a profitable business. Listen in on how you can dip your toes into this massive market.

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Kyle Shoemaker of Affordable Housing Investment Brokerage

Link: Home Landlords Project Based Voucher

Link: What Is Section 42 Housing?

Link: Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) | HUD USER

Link: Promoting the Stabilization of Communities

Link: S.1136 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2021

Link: Season 1, Episode 1 - Six Stories

Link: Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen: A Law Firm focused on Affordable Housing & Community Development

Sponsor: Appeal.tax Sponsor: Pavelchak Architecture

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