All Forum Posts by: Tomas Saenz

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well.

I'm at a crossroads in my investing path and would love the advice or views from other investors.

I currently own 3 properties in Chicago:

1. Duplex in a C- neighborhood  south Chicago 

2. SFH in a c neighborhood south Chicago

3. A fixer future flip/ or long term hold in emerging neighborhood Avondale 

I work a regular 9 to 5 and most of my money is currently being funneled into the Avondale fixer. So basically I'm not able to save a significant amount to put down a down payment on my next place. My other properties are rented out and covering their mortgages ( all 3 purchased with conventional financing).

I'd like to start buying in more established neighborhoods like Avondale for example. I am not opposed to selling my 2 properties in C class neighborhood's to achieve this however if I could hold them that be great. The goal is to start snowballing these properties into larger chunks of wealth sprinkled with some appreciation?

Curious, what you would do? Open to all strategiesThanks!

Hello BP Chicago, I hope all is well with everyone. I need a property inspection ASAP for a property in Logan Square. Does anyone have a trusted inspector they have used or could refer? My inspector is out of town. Thank you. 

Hi @Kyle D Birch , just following up with your post. I myself am looking at these areas. Any luck jumping into these areas? 

Hello all, Milwaukee interests me as city that I may consider buying in. Ideally I am looking to do a live and flip if possible but I am not opposed to a buy and hold property. I plan to drive through the neighborhoods within the next few weeks to get a better understanding of the city/culture/development. I am in Chicago so driving up there is not a big deal. My plan would be to buy a "fixer upper" in a "B" or "A" neighborhood. Can anyone share any insight on the neighborhoods that would fit this strategy? Are there any proven areas where this approach would work also what is the rental market like? Additionally, what is the communities' outlook on the city's long term outlook? I have read about some of the good things going on in neighborhoods like Bayview but I have also read about high concentrated crime areas. Any additional information on the city or thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks - Tomas Saenz 

Great purchase @Michael Kevorkian , congrats!

@Crystal, you mentioned ARV. ARV is probably the better/stable approach I am looking at, thanks. Apart from Homewood any other burb you would recommend with solid ARV potential?

@Henry, thanks for the information I will have to do more research on condos. I am not too well versed on ARV/flip potential specific to condos

@Henry Lazerow I have never really considered condos to be honest. I suppose I am a bit ignorant on the assest type. Aren't condos typically more volatile in uneasy markets? Also, would HOA's affect my ability to be profitable in terms of a live and flip situation. I will look into the belmont craigin area I know some areas are more rough?

@Phil Wells personally I think all of this talk about leaving the city is a bit misguided. Sure, there are people who move to surrounding burbs to "settle down" or people move to "Hot" job markets. But cities will always be desirable locations.

Cities are historically centers of culture, jobs, entertainment ,etc. People who own properties in large cities have nothing to worry about. May appreciation stagnate? possibly but I am willing to bet on the long term outlook