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All Forum Posts by: Victor So

Victor So has started 18 posts and replied 237 times.

Post: Door and door frame

Victor So
Pro Member
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Chicago, IL
  • Posts 249
  • Votes 138
Quote from @Irving Gonzalez:

Hello, 

I am looking for a person who can replace a back door and it's frame near the northwest side of Chicago? 

Any suggestions would be appreciated!


 Did you find someone yet? I may have someone for you. DM me!

Post: Looking to invest in apartment or multi family in chicago

Victor So
Pro Member
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Chicago, IL
  • Posts 249
  • Votes 138
Quote from @Becky Donner:

Hi, I am looking to expand my portfolio in Chicago by investing in two or three bedroom apartments and or multifamily. I’m specifically interested in properties on the north side of the city in quaint areas along the lakefront time frame is to purchase within the next 12 months.

What is your budget? It’s def more expensive on the northside and especially along the lake front. 

Post: Short term rentals Chicago

Victor So
Pro Member
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Chicago, IL
  • Posts 249
  • Votes 138
Quote from @Daisy Ruiz:

Hey everyone, 

Has anyone done short term rentals in Chicago. I have been reading thier seems to be a lot of rules and regulations. Does anyone have any pointers? 

Thank you in advance 


 Short answer - if you’re looking to rent rooms in the house or unit you live in, go for it. It can be fairly profitable in that it could help you live for free, etc. If you’re looking to scale, then it can be very difficult. I have friends who own properties with 5+ units who Airbnb 1-2 units in those buildings but again there are limits to the scalability thing. There’s other creative ways to make it work. For example, I have a partner who lives in a single family home we own together. He applied for the license under his name since he lives there and I basically run the Airbnb operations. We make it work because we an agreement but could I do similar things with other properties I have and scale? Not sure. 

Post: Condo hacking experiences

Victor So
Pro Member
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Chicago, IL
  • Posts 249
  • Votes 138
Quote from @Kyle Williams:

Hi, I have been deeply involved in researching and learning about house hacking. I came to the conclusion that purchasing a 2bd/1ba condo is my best option. I will use the rent by room strategy for a year, then move out and lease the condo under 1 lease.

Does anyone have any advice about condo hacking, or can anyone describe their personal experience?

Also does anyone have any references for realtors in Chicago who are experienced in condos and rental properties?

Thank you!!!


My very first househack was a condo. And it was a nightmare mainly because of HOA politics, rules/regulations, etc especially if you want to make certain renovations to the unit. Also, I know those who've gotten hit with special assessments that wiped away cash flow and some.

Post: First House Hack

Victor So
Pro Member
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Chicago, IL
  • Posts 249
  • Votes 138
Quote from @Jacob Nevarez:

Hello,

I recently got pre approved and now looking at properties to house hack in the Chicago land area (suburbs). As I'm going through the MLS I'm coming up with my questions for the realtor.

My questions for you all:
Is there red flags that you look when searching for a house hack deal?

And 

What is something you wish you had know before going into your first deal? 



 Not sure what loan you’ll be using to acquire your first deal but make sure you have a great loan officer who can give you the ins and outs of each owner occupied loan. I bought one of my first house hacks with an fha 203K loan since all I had to put was 3.5% down and rehab costs were included. However, since this was the first time I used a rehab loan, I had no clue how to navigate it. If you are going to go with a rehab loan, make sure to speak to people who’ve gone through it. 

Post: New to Bigger Pockets // Eager to get started investing // Need more connections

Victor So
Pro Member
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Chicago, IL
  • Posts 249
  • Votes 138
Quote from @Mitchell Petrosky:

Hello!

I am 24 years old and I just moved to the Lakeview area in Chicago, IL. 

I've recently become interested in the idea of Real Estate Investing for a few reasons. I have two friends who own rental properties and they are successful with their properties, I read Rich Dad Poor Dad twice along with Rental Property Investing and Power of Habit, I've been told by multiple people apart of the Baby Boomer and Generation X that they wish they invested in Real Estate at my age, I was a Resident Advisor at my University and I enjoyed that role so some of the skills are transferrable, and lastly this is the best time for me to take a risk. I don't have any debt and I don't have kids or much going on outside of my 9-5 career. 

I NEED all of the help and support that I can get to take action and make it happen. I'm not one to take risks but I feel I am capable of becoming a Real Estate Investor as long as I do my due diligence. I'm reading up on books and articles on how to do this but sometimes it's easier to join social groups or talk to people close to me that have done it before.

Right now my goal is to get pre-approved for a loan and to learn from others. Once that has been done I'd like to purchase a property walking distance from myself so I can keep an eye on the property and because I don't have a car. I plan to manage this property myself, manage the finances, manage the tenet forms and etc all by myself so I can learn how to do everything right away when I'm first starting. My biggest fear or weaknesses will be trusting lenders, trusting Real Estate Agents, and trusting contractors. I believe I can do a good job as a Landlord once I have tenants and when I'm up and running. Hoping to accomplish this in the next 3-months. 

Hoping to connect with those who have done this before! Much appreciated!


-Mitchell Petrosky


 Hey Mitchell! I love your ambition to get this done in 3 months. Are you planning to househack or just buy an investment property? You’ll be able to use a low down payment loan like an fha or conventional 3-5% down loan if you househack versus if you buy an investment property. I’ve househacked for 6-7 years now and I’ve found that house hacking was the most low risk, high reward type of  way for me to invest in real estate. DM if you want to discuss further! 

Post: New residence requirements for Airbnb listing

Victor So
Pro Member
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Chicago, IL
  • Posts 249
  • Votes 138
Quote from @Seb Ko:

Anyone familar with listing an Airbnb listing in last few months? Are there additional primary residence requirements such as homeowners exemption required, or anyone know if this is coming down the line?


 They’re becoming more strict with the primary residence requirements. You’ll need to submit 2 out of the 4 documents - driver’s licenses or state ID, homeowners tax exemption, bank statement dated within 30 days, or official payroll documentation dated within 30 days. 

Post: Condo house hack?

Victor So
Pro Member
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Chicago, IL
  • Posts 249
  • Votes 138
Quote from @Gio Franco:

Hello everyone. I am a first time homebuyer closing escrow for a condo. My strategy is to house hack but not too sure on how  set my listings for the two extra bedrooms that I have. My main goal is to lower my monthly mortgage payment as best as I could. 

Hey! First, check with your HOA to make sure they don’t have any restrictions on acquiring tenants (or roommates in your case). If they have guidelines you need for follow, then adhere to them. Then, market on “rent by room” websites. Not sure about your area but here in Chicago, I’ve found that FB marketplace, roomies, and zumper work really well for me. Not sure what your short term rental regulations are for your area, but if HOA allows, airbnb could be a great way to acquire short-term, mid-term, or long-term roommates. 

Post: To House Hack Now or Buy More?

Victor So
Pro Member
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Chicago, IL
  • Posts 249
  • Votes 138
Quote from @Sarah Miksa:

Hi! I currently have a large 1/1 with a ton of space in a highly desirable location in Chicago. With interest rates being so high and it being a condo I pay just under 3k/month. The condo surprisingly has no limit on rentals, as confirmed by my lawyer I could Airbnb it if I wanted to. Right now I have a very demanding 9-5 and don’t see running an Airbnb as an option right now. I have a great contractor and have explored adding a bath for 45k and/or add a bedroom (removing the large dining room). If I add a bath I could split the unit and house hack, however I don’t see it covering all of my housing costs/renovation cost at least for some time. Alternatively, if I left the unit as is, or added a bedroom for a much smaller cost by removing the dining room, I could rent the entire unit out on a short or medium term basis, for at or above the monthly cost, then look for a separate house hack with a bath already installed. Many thanks in advance!

Not sure where your condo is located and what your current financial situation is but personally, I would rent your current unit out and take the 45K+ you have and find a multi-unit to househack. I can’t imagine what hurdles you would have to go through with the HOA to add a bath and/or bedroom. 

Post: Chicago House Hacking

Victor So
Pro Member
Posted
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Chicago, IL
  • Posts 249
  • Votes 138
Quote from @Ethan Tramel:

Hello, does anyone have any experience with house hacking in Chicago? I will be graduating college in May 2025 and would like to work/live in the city. I am considering buying a 2 bedroom condo near the loop and renting out the other bedroom. Would it still be worth it if I'm still having to pay around $1,500 a month to live there? Is house-hacking a condo in Chicago a feasible option to begin with? I'd love for any opinions and feedback!

Hey Ethan! I’ve done a handful of house hacks for the passed 7 or so years on the northside of Chicago. Whether or not househacking would be “worth it” depends on your criteria. For me, $1500 a month to live in the city would be awesome. However, keep in mind, if you were to househack a condo, that you may be restricted by the HOA to execute certain things like renovations and there may be rental restrictions as well. Also, they could raise HOA fees and hit you with special assessments at any time. The lack of “control” turns off some investors. If you’re willing to look a little outside of the city, you can find some great 2-4 unit multi unit options that you could get into with only 5% down. You could use a mix of short-term, mid-term, and long-term options as well as rent by room strategies to cash flow a little better. If you want to have a conversation, DM me, and I’d love to fill you in on some of the things I did! Hope this helps!