All Forum Posts by: Kevin O'Brien

@Matthew Olszak Thanks a lot for the response...even if it's not what I was hoping to hear. This is my first purchase and was trying to figure out via the building code (which of course is difficult to understand) before the zoning compliance cert was pulled.

Will find out soon enough though!

Thanks for the input @Melissa Kirchhoff! I've been pouring through the Chicago Building Code and have found conflicting things in it, so your input is really appreciated.

Clarification: there are windows in the living room, kitchen and bathroom. All are fully above-grade. These are all along the south wall of the unit (which runs east to west) and the bedrooms are on the north wall of the unit.

Hi, I'm a newer investor hoping to get clarification on legal bedrooms in Chicago. Background: I'm negotiating on a multifamily in Chicago (3/1's on 1st & 2nd floors, 2/1 in garden). The tax docs list as a 2-unit but the owners + seller's agent insist they have zoning compliance paperwork that it's a 3-unit - our offer has a contingency on getting the zoning paperwork for a 3 unit.

My question is related to the garden unit - what constitutes a legal bedroom? The unit appears to be legal - 8' ceilings, kitchen, bathroom, living room and 2 bedrooms. There are 2 methods of egress directly to outside  - front door (in living room) and back door (in hallway/mudroom). 

However, the neither of the bedrooms have windows...are these bedrooms (and therefore, unit) legal?

Really appreciate all of the input here - it's given me a lot to reconsider about my strategy!

 Understood. I phrased the question poorly - do you see a difference between buying one unit of a 2 flat vs. buying a condo in a larger building with lots of units? I understand not having full control in either instance as you don't own the whole building, just wondering if you see a difference. 

I'm looking at getting a multifamily for the same reasons you listed, but interested if you've had/heard of issues with buying a unit in a 2 flat. Thanks!

@Brie Schmidt I really appreciate your input...I've had the same concern over getting into that space. Do you see a difference in getting a unit in a duplex vs. condos? I should have been more accurate and said I've been looking at units in 2 flats and not "condo" buildings with 4+ units that would qualify as commercial structures.

Thanks for the warm welcome @Jack Butala! I'm looking forward to not being one of the statistics that "talk the talk" but never take action.

First time investor looking to grab his first property after following BP off & on for 4 years. The plan is 3BR condo or small multifamily and I've been watching the market closely for the last 6 months.

Targeting properties along the "Milwaukee corridor" (Logan Square/Avondale to Noble Square) that are within walking distance to a Blue line L stop. By my analysis, this area is relatively affordable but has upside as well, despite blowing up a bit the last few years. While some other NW neighborhoods might be hotter or have higher upside, I feel sticking near Blue line stops will help minimize risk. 

What do the more seasoned vets here think of these neighborhoods and the strategy? Thanks and I look forward to contributing more to the Chicago area forum!

Hi everyone! 

I'm Kevin O'Brien, a 29 year old engineer living in Chicago....I just wanted to say hello! A whopping 4 years after being introduced to BP, I decided I needed to stop making excuses and jump into the real estate game. So here I am, ready to embark on my real estate journey! 

I'm in the process of finding my 1st property - targeting a 3BR condo or small multifamily in Chicago (B or B+ neighborhood) that's within walking distance to a Blue or Brown line L stop. I'll owner-occupy, house hacking via roommates (renting units if multifamily). 

My background - I was born and raised in the west suburbs of Chicago, before heading a few hours south to Champaign for college. After getting my degree, I worked for a manufacturing company that moved me out to Harrisburg, PA for a year and then to Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA for 4 years after that. 

Living in Iowa in 2014, I noticed how inexpensive all the houses were compared to where I grew up and that piqued my interest in real estate. While searching online for info on real estate investing, I discovered the Bigger Pockets Podcast. TOTAL GAME CHANGER. I devoured the episodes, learned all I could and started getting familiar with the local neighborhoods & prices...I was convinced I would begin my real estate journey once I had saved for a down payment. 

Unfortunately in 2015 while saving for the down payment, I changed jobs, moved back to the Chicago suburbs and started taking MBA classes - real estate completely fell by the wayside. 

Seven months ago, I stumbled across a BP article for the first time since I left Iowa. Having spent the previous 2 years slogging through 80 hr work weeks, I realized I needed to make a change...that rat race was not how I wanted to spend the next 40 years of my life. So I left that crappy job, got a better one and moved to the city. I began catching up on all the BP Podcast episodes I'd missed, figured out what neighborhoods I wanted to buy in an began monitoring the prices to get a feel for my area.

I couldn't be more excited to jump into the game and I really look forward to all of the future discussions here on BP!

-Kevin O'Brien