All Forum Posts by: Jarret Jarvis

Hey Everton — welcome to the BiggerPockets community!

Love your mission around low-income housing and using syndications to uplift your community. It’s awesome that you’ve already taken the initiative to get licensed in both real estate and lending—those tools will come in handy once you start putting deals together.

If you ever want to connect or talk through how to get that first syndication rolling, feel free to reach out. Always happy to help however I can!

Wishing you the best as you get started,

Jarret #letsgo

Hey Everton, welcome to the BiggerPockets community — and props to you for taking the initiative to get licensed in both real estate and lending. That’s a solid foundation to build from.

Love your mission around syndications and investing in low-income housing — we need more people thinking long-term and making an impact in their communities. I’m based in Chicago and work with a lot of investors here, so if you're ever looking to connect, brainstorm deals, or talk strategy, I’d be happy to chat.

Let’s keep building — reach out anytime!

– Jarret #letsgo

Hey Keegan! Love that you're already investing in yourself with a franchise — that entrepreneurial mindset is a huge asset in real estate too.

For first-time investments, a great starting point might be house hacking — buying a small multi-unit property (like a duplex or triplex), living in one unit, and renting out the others. It can drastically reduce (or eliminate) your living expenses and help you build equity with minimal upfront capital.

Since savings are tight, you might explore low down payment options like FHA loans (3.5% down) or conventional loans (3–5% down) if you plan to live in the property. Partnering with someone or even exploring creative financing (like seller financing or lease options) could also be viable depending on your market and risk tolerance.

Keep saving consistently, keep learning, and keep networking — real estate rewards the patient and persistent. Let me know if you’re ever down to connect — I’m based in Chicago and always happy to chat!

Wishing you momentum and great deals ahead!

– Jarret #letsgo

Hey Chan, welcome to the world of real estate and to BiggerPockets — you're in the right place!

I’m also based in Chicago and actively involved in investing, wholesaling, and real estate sales. Love your energy and mindset — surrounding yourself with the right people really does make all the difference.

Would be happy to connect, share some insights, and help however I can. Let’s grow together — feel free to DM me anytime.

Wishing you nothing but momentum and good deals ahead!

– Jarret

Hey Connor!

Welcome to the journey — I’m house hacking in the Chicago area as well! It’s an awesome strategy to get started, especially in today’s market. I’ve been building my network of lenders, agents, and contractors too, and would be happy to share what I’ve learned and swap notes.

Let’s definitely connect — always good to have more local investor friends in the mix! #letsgo

Hi Gal,

Welcome to real estate investing! Starting local is often a smart first move — it gives you hands-on experience and better control. For market analysis, start with population trends, job growth, rental demand, and neighborhood comps. Out-of-state can work too, but only if you have a great property manager and understand the local market well.

Happy to chat more as you explore! #LETSGO

Hey Sarah — welcome to the REI world, and congrats on setting such a clear goal while balancing so much already! 👏

You're asking all the right questions. Investing locally for your first deal definitely makes sense, especially since you already have your core four (realtor, contractor, etc.) in place. That local team support is huge, especially when juggling W2 jobs and a growing family.

While out-of-state can offer better cash flow on paper, it comes with more moving parts and less control—which can be stressful for a first-time investor. Starting local gives you hands-on experience, helps you learn the ropes, and builds your confidence. Plus, suburbs like Elmhurst have strong fundamentals and are great for flipping or long-term appreciation plays.

As for STRs, make sure to double-check local ordinances—some suburbs are cracking down. You might also explore medium-term rentals (30+ day furnished), which are often less regulated but still highly profitable near hospitals, corporate hubs, etc.

Keep learning, stay flexible, and know that the perfect time rarely shows up. You’re already ahead by being thoughtful and intentional.

Are you leaning more toward a flip, STR, or long-term rental as your first move? #letsgo Jarret

Hey Adam — congrats on the Bucktown condo, that skyline view sounds incredible!

In terms of ROI, adding a roof deck could absolutely add value — both for resale and rental down the line. For rentals, you might see a 10–20% premium on rent if the deck is well designed and adds usable space. In Bucktown especially, outdoor space with a view is a huge bonus for tenants.

Since you plan to rent in a few years, the beauty is you get to enjoy it now and let it work for you later. Just make sure any work is permitted and HOA-approved (if applicable). Also, consider some low-maintenance materials so it holds up well over time.

Have you started looking into rough cost estimates or design ideas yet? #letsgo Jarret

Hey Sarah—welcome and congrats on taking the first steps (and on baby #2!). With your core 4 already in place, investing locally makes a ton of sense—especially for your first deal. Elmhurst and nearby suburbs still offer solid potential, even if STRs are tricky due to local rules. A flip or mid-term rental could be a great way to get started.

Out-of-state can offer better ROI, but it's a steeper learning curve—local is often smoother when juggling W2s and family. Happy to chat anytime if you want to dig into local options! #letsgo - Jarret

Hey Diana, great question—and it's awesome that you're thinking ahead about both rental potential and personal use. I've worked with several buyers in similar situations here in Chicago. Even when paying cash and having a clear idea of what you want, a good agent can still add value by spotting issues in the condo docs, HOA financials, rental restrictions, and overall investment potential (especially with how common assessments and reserves can make or break cash flow here). That said, it's all about finding someone who actually brings that investor lens—not just unlocking doors.

If you're doing a lot yourself, you might also be able to negotiate commission terms depending on the agent and situation. I’m happy to chat if you want to compare notes or get a second opinion on anything. Best of luck either way! #letsgo - Jarret