260 episodes

Are you a real estate investor in Chicago or someone looking to invest in the Chicagoland Market? If so, this podcast is for you! We break down the neighborhoods, different sides of the city, and surrounding suburbs so you can understand the uniqueness of investing in Chicago real estate.

The hosts and guests are Chicago investors and Property Managers who are making it happen in and around the Windy City. We share information, winning strategies, obstacles, success stories, and most importantly, lessons learned. If you are looking for ground level information and want to learn what has worked and not worked in Chicago, you are in the right place.

Straight Up Chicago Investor Straight Up Chicago Investor

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 238 Ratings

Are you a real estate investor in Chicago or someone looking to invest in the Chicagoland Market? If so, this podcast is for you! We break down the neighborhoods, different sides of the city, and surrounding suburbs so you can understand the uniqueness of investing in Chicago real estate.

The hosts and guests are Chicago investors and Property Managers who are making it happen in and around the Windy City. We share information, winning strategies, obstacles, success stories, and most importantly, lessons learned. If you are looking for ground level information and want to learn what has worked and not worked in Chicago, you are in the right place.

    Chicago Investors Cannot Have a Worse Day Than This, With Roman Viere

    Chicago Investors Cannot Have a Worse Day Than This, With Roman Viere

    Roman Viere owns and operates over 1000 rentals in Chicago with the bulk of those in the Austin neighborhood. In this episode, he gives a detailed breakdown on a terrifying explosion that occurred at his 35-unit apartment building in Austin. He discusses all things from the day of the incident including arriving at the scene, speaking with the authorities, and handling the press. Roman discusses insurance implications resulting from the explosion, insurance claims, and a 1033 exchange. If things weren’t bad enough, he talks about his million dollar water bill and how he got around that! Despite never planning for explosions and other catastrophic events at your rental properties, these are events that all housing providers should be prepared to handle for the safety and protection of all parties.
    If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!
    Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com
    Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com
    Guest: Roman Viere, Urban Alternatives
    Link: SUCI Ep 77 - Roman Viere
    Link: The Bomber Mafia (Book Recommendation)
    Link: Greg Yearwood (Precision Consulting / 773-852-8246 / gyearwood1@gmail.com / pcllcclaims.com)
    Link: Myk Snider (Sphere Public Relations / 312.816-5401 / myk@spherePR.com / SpherePR.com)
    Link: Jeff Riechenbach (State Farm / (773) 685-3600 / jeff.reichenbach.vafdml@statefarm.com)

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    Guest Questions
    02:18 Housing Provider Tip: Be prepared to deal with emergencies at your rental properties!
    03:16 Intro to our guest, Roman Viere! 
    03:55 The morning of a tragic event.
    10:39 Arriving at the scene.
    17:04 Being prepared for emergency events at rental properties.
    27:55 Reflecting on the day of the incident.
    35:57 Tactical items for dealing with an explosion.
    43:01 Insurance implications.
    60:13 Insurance Coverage and 1033 Exchange.
    65:02 Lessons learned from this tragic event.
    67:38 What is Roman’s competitive advantage?
    68:25 One piece of advice for new investors.
    69:10 What do you do for fun?
    69:44 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?
    70:41 Local Network Recommendation?
    71:36 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?
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    Production House: Flint Stone Media
    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2023.

    • 1 hr 15 min
    Time For Serious Chicago Investors with Sal Becovic

    Time For Serious Chicago Investors with Sal Becovic

    Sal Becovic returns to the show to discuss how he has continued to grow his portfolio despite the challenging market!
    Sal jumps right in by sharing his philosophy on acquisitions and being “rate agnostic”. He gives an extremely bullish outlook on Chicago leaving us feeling great about this special city. Sal discusses the ins and outs of his latest and largest acquisition; a 28-story condo building with value-add potential. Throughout the show, Sal emphasizes the importance of establishing solid fundamentals, surrounding yourself with great people, and being a good person; rules of life not just RE investing.
    If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!
    Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com
    Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com
    Guest: Sal Becovic, Becovic Realty
    Link: NBOA Chicago
    Link: Bloomberg.com
    Link: The Economist

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    Guest Questions
    02:35 Housing Provider Tip: Ideas to make unit turnovers more efficient!
    04:10 Intro to our guest, Sal Becovic!
    07:31 Being in acquisition mode!
    13:57 Being “rate agnostic” in today’s market.
    18:52 Sal’s perspective on the Chicago RE market.
    23:32 Sal’s latest and largest deal!
    37:21 What’s next for Sal?
    41:55 Operations and building a team.
    47:30 Sal’s closing tips on optimizing your RE portfolio!
    51:03 What is Sal’s competitive advantage?
    52:35 One piece of advice for new investors.
    53:49 What do you do for fun?
    54:38 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?
    56:23 Local Network Recommendation?
    57:34 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?
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    Production House: Flint Stone Media
    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2023.

    • 1 hr
    Maximize Your Savings: Unveiling the Tax Advantages of Solar Panels and Electric Vehicles

    Maximize Your Savings: Unveiling the Tax Advantages of Solar Panels and Electric Vehicles

    What are the tax benefits of solar panels and electric vehicles?
    Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com
    Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com
    Guest: Michael Procaccio, Pro Financial Services Group Inc
    Link: Build Your Team | Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast
    Link: Episode 198: 2023 Tax Strategies for Chicagoland Real Estate Investors with Michael Procaccio
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    Production House: Flint Stone Media
    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2023.

    • 16 min
    The Playbook For Short-Term Rentals in Chicago with Ditron Corker

    The Playbook For Short-Term Rentals in Chicago with Ditron Corker

    Ditron is a seasoned Short-Term Rental (STR) Investor who is teaching others how to get started and maximize profitability with STRs. 
    Ditron shares how he got started in real estate and utilized the house hacking and rent-by-the-room strategy. He shares tremendous nuggets on finding good STR markets and typical expenses associated with setting up and running a short-term rental. Ditron gives tips on working with AirBNB, STR expectations, amenities, and FAQs to consider to set yourself up for success. Mid-Term Rentals, STR underwriting, and automation are also discussed on the episode. This show is full of STR jewels of wisdom that you won’t want to miss!
    If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!
    Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com
    Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com
    Guest: Ditron Corker, Roam to Rome Spaces & STR Innovate
    Link: Ditron's Meetup
    Link: SUCI Ep 143 - Jessica Ryan
    Link: Who Not How (Book Recommendation)
    Link: Jeff Ma and Eli Goodman Meetup

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    Guest Questions
    03:10 Housing Provider Tip: Deliver a nicely landscaped property to encourage upkeep!
    05:37 Intro to our guest, Ditron Corker!
    08:00 Ditron’s first deal!
    09:20 Getting into short-term rentals (STRs)!
    13:46 Expenses on STRs.
    20:07 STR-Specific Features and FAQs!
    24:27 Entertainment amenities in STRs.
    25:56 Where are STRs allowed?
    31:08 Underwriting STRs!
    35:34 STRs vs MTRs.
    38:55 Automation Systems.
    40:50 Lessons Learned!
    46:06 Tax Advantages to STRs.
    49:22 Ditron’s upcoming conference!
    51:49 What is Ditron’s competitive advantage?
    52:25 One piece of advice for new STR investors.
    53:02 What do you do for fun?
    53:24 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?
    54:05 Local Network Recommendation?
    55:14 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?
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    Production House: Flint Stone Media
    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2023.

    • 58 min
    Home Inspection Insights For Chicago Investors With Andrew Fox

    Home Inspection Insights For Chicago Investors With Andrew Fox

    Andrew kicks things off by discussing necessary skills to succeed as an entrepreneur in Real Estate. He talks about the value of a building inspection even if the property will be rehabbed. Andrew clears the air on the need for auxiliary inspections such as radon, asbestos, and sewer scopes. Andrew drops golden nuggets on questions that investors should be asking inspectors to mitigate their risk. The show is closed out with technological advances in the inspection industry that investors should be aware of!
    If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!
    Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com
    Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com
    Guest: Andrew Fox, BrickKicker Inspection Services
    Link: BrickKickerCommercial.com
    Link: The Game with Alex Hormozi
    Link: Good to Great (Book Recommendation)
    Link: Mathew Tarailo (Network Referral)

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    Guest Questions
    02:58 Housing Provider Tip: Set up lock boxes for access during emergencies!
    04:54 Intro to our guest, Andrew Fox!
    09:41 Skills for Entrepreneurial Success.
    14:02 BrickKicker’s Model!
    20:19 Inspecting properties that will be rehabbed.
    25:47 Auxiliary Inspections.
    33:03 Questions Investors should ask Inspectors.
    35:23 Technology in the Inspection Industry!
    43:06 Outlook on the Inspection Industry.
    47:13 What is Andrew’s competitive advantage?
    47:33 One piece of advice for new investors.
    48:00 What do you do for fun?
    48:13 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?
    48:43 Local Network Recommendation?
    49:20 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?
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    Production House: Flint Stone Media
    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2023.

    • 52 min
    Exploring Lending Options for Self-Employed Individuals with Eric Workman

    Exploring Lending Options for Self-Employed Individuals with Eric Workman

    What are my lending options if I do not have a W2?
    Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com
    Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com
    Guest: Eric Workman, Renovo Financial
    Link: Episode 19: Top 10 Mistakes We See From Chicago Investors - with Eric Workman of Renovo Financial (Part 2)
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    Production House: Flint Stone Media
    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2023.
     

    • 14 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
238 Ratings

238 Ratings

updohg ,

If you want to engage in Real Estate in Chicago, FOLLOW THESE GUYS!

I have saved so much money and headaches by just tuning in. The guest speakers are knowledgeable and the Tuesday tips are an amazing resource! I feel like I owe these guys.. I found my CPA and Lender on this show!

Mario

TheAnonymous8888 ,

One of the best Real Estate podcasts for someone starting out

The two interviewers try to ask very specific questions to the guests and break things down step by step, which is very helpful for a beginner real estate investor, especially in the Chicago area.

They also have knowledgeable guests.

Great job!

Jcrow 13 ,

A must listen for any investor in Chicago!

Tom and Mark send produce a great podcast every time.

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