All Forum Posts by: Marcin Talaga

Daniel,

Message me.  I specialize in working with investors and would love to help you.

Marcin

Inventory is low, but opportunities are still out there if you know where to look.  The biggest thing I've found is that if you have all of your own money to invest, and you don't expect a crazy roi, the deals are there.  If you have to borrow hard money, or are looking for a huge return then it's definitely dried up compared to 2/3/4 years ago.  Used to be able to make $50k on a flip.  Now it's more like $20k.  

George, it's funny you should ask.  I'm wondering if there are any good plumbers left in Chicago too!  Seems like it's the only trade I can't find consistency in.  Either they are good but messy and rude, or great guys who are just bad at what they do.  Let me know if you find anyone please :)

As a Realtor, I would have spent a lot more time focusing on finding listings.  I got into Real Estate at the worst possible time, in the worst Real Estate market of my generation.  I had to learn everything the hard way, which in turn made me learn everything the right way!  I would have focused on finding listings and would have invested more money doing so.  I saw spending money on marketing hard to do and a potential waste.  I now look at spending money on marketing as an investment in my self and my business, instead of a waste.  Focus on listings!  For every listing you have, you should be able to pick up at least 1 buyer, and 1 other seller.

As an investor, I wish I would have gone to a hard money lender a lot sooner.  I was deathly afraid of borrowing so much money from some random lender at a huge interest rate.  Looking back, I could have propelled my self a lot further and been much better off if I would have had the guts to borrow hard money 5 years ago.  

Some banks offer rehab loans but make sure to ask whether you are required to occupy the property after rehab.  Otherwise, there are some hard money lenders out there i can refer you to if you want to message me.  

You can find a few sample leases by just googling "Chicago Apartment Lease."  Print out the one you like best and use it.  Also, check out Domu.com.  They have a section that has a Chicago lease you can use, and I also recommend them for finding tenants.  For a few bucks you can post your apartments for rent on there.  Congrats and enjoy being a landlord!

Take the class!!!!!  A lot of the teachers that teach at these Real Estate schools are sooooo knowledgeable that you can never get the same effect doing the class online.  Plus, a lot of these teachers stay in contact with their students and can be good mentors as you get started in your career.  I highly recommend doing the class over just online.  I did mine at Inland Real Estate school, out by oak brook and it was great.

Corey, I work with a good hard money lender.  I could introduce you to them.  Message me and we'll talk.

Marcin

Cliff, I recently bid some jobs in Bronzeville and do work all over the city.  Contact me if you are still looking for someone.

Wendell, my partner and I haven't done anything that big, but we'd be interested in taking a look.  We're working our way up to these HUGE scale projects.