All Forum Posts by: Eric La Pratt

In Chicago, I rely on the Trib's crime tool on their website. I can't vouch for the data but want to believe it's legit given how well the tool works. It's pretty robust as you can compare and contrast with other neighborhoods. Here's a link:

http://crime.chicagotribune.com/

Of course you'll want to check things out for yourself but be safe. If you live here, you're probably well aware that the city had 355 shootings with 429 shooting victims in June alone. Yet somehow everywhere I look and go, it's safe. That's another conversation in of itself that I'll stay far away from.

Can you share a bit more about your strategy? If you're just looking for multifamily near a train on the northside for under $400k, Redfin is a great place to start. But if you're looking to partner with someone who knows what their doing, you might want to have a little more info than that.

From what I am hearing, there are no more cash flowing multi-families on the northside (especially close to a train) for under $400k that are not being gobbled up in serious multiple offer scenarios within days of going on the market. People being outbid by several tens of thousands. In fact last year I was outbid on a 3-flat by $70k and I was offered $17k over asking (List $329k, I offered $346k, it sold for 418k). The sweet spot in Chicago multi-family last year was $400-500k. Everything less needed too much work and everything more was too expensive to cash-flow (at least until you got to the $700's). This summer it's gone nowhere but up.

Welcome @Jack Krasaeath! I suggest checking out the meetup that both @George Foster and @Brie Schmidt host. It is every third Tuesday of the month at Dino's Pizzeria in Norwood Park on the city's NW side. This is a great place to connect!

I would like to have a few foundation specialists do a walk through of a duplex I have in Ferndale 48220. I have jack posts in place in the building but believe they need to be adjusted. Also I would like to take a look at the footing as well. Any recommendations for the Detroit area?

Does anyone know if a docusigned lease in Michigan is legal? When we purchased our last property, we did everything via DocuSign except for the actual closing. I am wondering if we need physical signatures on an original lease for it to be legal.

Thanks in advance!

Welcome @Lisa Rispoli! Come to the Chicago REIA meetup at Dino's Pizza on the NW side of the city (on Higgins) on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Here is a link to the one that just happened last week. Brie will post another soon, I am sure:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/30...

Hey there @Michael Carpin - Welcome to BP! A great place to meet people who can align you with those goals are at the Chicago Meetup. Roughly 40-60 people attend this networking event in a very casual atmosphere. I was a little intimidated at first there but now I try to never miss one. Here's the post for the May event https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/30...

You can find properties you are looking for while working. You just need a good team. I have 1 kid, not 3 so I would never purport to know what that is like but I was able to pull it off just recently and am rehabbing the place now.

See you at the meetup!

Welcome to BP @Ashour Rehana! You're right about the wealth of knowledge and viewpoints here. Tell us a little more about yourself. Do you own and/live in North Center or Lincoln Square? Are you an agent now?

@George P. Can you explain that a bit more?

Hi all,

I just noticed this past weekend that I have a hardwood floor in a 2 bedroom apartment in Ferndale (48220) that needs refinishing. Definitely past its prime. I am working to re-rent the place so am in a time crunch to get the floors done soon.

Can anyone recommend anyone to do this job?

Thanks in advance!