My name is Nick, Im a new investor looking to join the real estate community working with my father.

THANKS Your local credit union might be your best bet.

Hello, my name is Rachel, I live in Pennsylvania.

This is a great area with plenty of opportunities to grow as an investor.Feel free to reach out if you ever want to chat about deals, strategies, or just connect with other local investors.

I’ve had to widen my search radius to smaller suburbs or target properties needing light cosmetic work to make the numbers work.Value-add opportunities: Adding amenities tenants love, like finished basements or upgraded kitchens, seems to justify rent premiums in this market.Navigating the competition:Be creative with financing: Seller financing or partnering with other investors has been helpful to secure deals when conventional offers didn’t cut it.Work with local agents and wholesalers: They often have their finger on the pulse of off-market opportunities, which is critical in a hot market.For those new to suburban Chicago investing, I’d say the key is finding the “sweet spot” neighborhoods—ones on the rise but not yet maxed out in price.

If they want referral, I can give some names, but they can take a look at themselves too.So in reality, buyer agent is doing like transaction coordinator only.

Accessibility and local knowledge above everything else. 

Also Cocktails and Real Estate at Patriots place.BP does have a local meetup section which usually has good local options.

About to close on a 10+unit apartment building and my wife and I would like to self-manage as much as possible, as I am local. 

I had a unique perspective of how these two industries working together.While performing an inspection on a house, I got to chat with the seller and found he was a commercial construction superintendent for a large local company.