All Forum Posts by: Jonathan Pliszka

@Ryan Gillette absolutely nailed it for you, @Colin Wood. Best of luck as I truly believe this is the best way to get started. 

@Cal C. The short of it is that you probably need a new agent. It sounds like you've been pretty clear with your intentions as you have 3 other properties under contract with the agent already. Very unprofessional and unwarranted on the agent's part. If this was the first time you were working with this agent, I'd be a bit more sympathetic towards them. From an agent's perspective, I've been on the other end when the listing agent absolutely lights me up for the offer you've submitted and insists on never working with you again. This is a legitimate concern of realtors. In smaller communities, this is particularly troublesome because more often than not, the same buyers and sellers agents are interacting quite frequently.  Fortunately, I'm in Chicago, a big enough city where I'm less likely to run into the same agent multiple times (although I have) and because my brokerage business is my "second job,' I have no shame in submitting anything for anyone. I've come to learn that with respect to anything in life, it doesn't hurt to ask.

I do agree with @Adam Bartomeo. So many realtors are very unprofessional and are very unethical, not to mention lazy. In many cases, it's amazing how many times I have to contact a listing agent to have a potential client (or myself) even view a place or ask questions. 

Long story short, I get your agent's push back, but they're in the wrong here. I'd suggest linking up with an agent who themselves owns property. It's amazing how many realtors own nothing more than the roof over their head. Best of luck with everything, Cal! 

@Dave Shutack The big question is are you going to be living in the multi? If so, I would recommend Avondale, Irving Park, Old Irving Park, Albany Park and of course, Logan Square. I purchased a multi in Old Irving Park with a FHA mortgage, lived in it and then cash out refi and purchased my current place in Logan Square. If you're not planning on living there, then maybe look at some of these places other folks have referenced, but you'll quickly notice some of your suggestions are well outside of the city and you may well as well look in Northwest Indiana to find a better deal and save on property taxes. Let me know if you want to chat further.

Congrats, @Samuel Tesla and welcome to BiggerPockets. Where on the North Side is your property located? 

Welcome to BiggerPockets, @Dave Shutack. This is exactly what I did. I was living in Lincoln Park/Lakeview and then purchased a multi-family in Old Irving Park using a FHA loan, moved in the first floor and rented the other two units. Last year, I did refinanced out of the FHA loan, took some cash out and bought a condo in Logan Square.

Let me know if I can be of any help as you look into the process. Good luck!

@Brie Schmidt Hi Brie! Similar to your rent discount for lawn care, would you consider giving a rent discount for the snow removal as well or are you worried about liability? Curious your thoughts on this.

Welcome to BiggerPockets, @Chad S.! Where in Chicago are you located?

Welcome to BiggerPockets, @Hope N. I'm located in Logan Square. Let me know if I can ever be of any assistance. Cheers!

@Jake Baxter Welcome to BiggerPockets! I'm from Enfield originally. Just dropped by to say GO HUSKIES!

@Travis Weldon Welcome to BiggerPockets, Travis! I too am pretty bullish NWI. The reasons you listed above, plus the shift of telecommuting. Why live in Naperville and pay 15K in property taxes when you can live in Munster, be the same distance from the city and cut your tax bill by a third.