Properties for Sale on the North Side? We want to buy them. Email: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Have a vacancy? We can place your next tenant and give you back 30-40 hours of your time. Learn more: GCRealtyInc.com/tenant-placement

Has Property Mgmt become an opportunity cost for you? Let us lower your risk and give you your time back to grow. Learn more: GCRealtyinc.com

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Alex Diaz explains how he left his day job as a barber to successfully flip and wholesale real estate for a living at 24 years of age!

Alex starts by sharing how he made the jump from being a barber to wholesaling real estate. He explains how he acquired his first property; a househack sourced off-market! Alex provides tactical advice on marketing directly to sellers to create deal flow. He talks about lessons learned from flipping and gets granular on the real estate market in Aurora and the surrounding suburbs. This is another motivating show with an investor thriving at a young age!

If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guests: Alex Diaz, Bluestone Property Solutions

Link: Alex Diaz's Instagram

Link: SUCI Ep 335 - Aram Ghazaryan

Link: The Art of the Deal (Book Recommendation)

Guest Questions

03:16 Housing Provider Tip - Maintain and understand misusage of water hose spigots!

05:09 Intro to our guest, Alex Diaz!

10:38 Alex’s first house hack sourced off-market!

14:24 Jumping into wholesaling and direct-to-seller marketing.

26:20 Marketing strategy and the 101 on Montgomery, IL.

29:11 Benefits of being around like-minded investors.

35:10 Lessons learned from flipping!

39:24 Alex’s geographic areas of focus.

44:06 What is your competitive advantage?

44:31 One piece of advice for new investors.

45:14 What do you do for fun?

45:31 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

46:04 Local Network Recommendation?

46:23 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 2025.

Properties for Sale on the North Side? We want to buy them. Email: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Have a vacancy? We can place your next tenant and give you back 30-40 hours of your time. Learn more: GCRealtyInc.com/tenant-placement

Has Property Mgmt become an opportunity cost for you? Let us lower your risk and give you your time back to grow. Learn more: GCRealtyinc.com

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Katie and Rob Hayes are investors and realtors with nearly 2 decades of experience acquiring and managing investment properties!

The duo starts by sharing their background including investing in Florida before transitioning to the Chicago Western Suburbs. They share lessons learned from investing in lower cost areas and why they pivoted to higher class assets. Rob and Katie share golden nuggets on marketing to owners for deal flow and on operating short-term rentals. They close out with a positive outlet on Downer’s Grove and why investors should be considering it!

If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guests: Katie and Rob Hayes, Platinum Partners Realtors

Link: Team Hayes Realtors Facebook

Link: Rob's LinkedIn

Link: CAREIA Investor's Group

Guest Questions

03:03 Housing Provider Tip - Utilize Starbucks gift cards to easily express gratitude towards tenants and vendors!

04:33 Intro to our guests, Katie and Rob Hayes!

09:54 Jumping from Florida to local investments!

14:30 Considerations when investing in lower price point areas.

17:45 Investments leading up to the housing crash.

23:47 Getting a real estate license during the housing crash.

29:05 Creating deal flow in a low inventory market.

34:40 Representing and adding value to buyers in this market.

39:17 Dialing back acquisitions and strategizing for retirement!

44:35 Short-term rentals in Chicago suburbs.

54:40 Advice for couples who invest together!

57:15 What is your competitive advantage?

58:31 One piece of advice for new investors.

59:45 What do you do for fun?

60:34 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

61:42 Local Network Recommendation?

63:05 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 2025.

Properties for Sale on the North Side? We want to buy them. Email: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Have a vacancy? We can place your next tenant and give you back 30-40 hours of your time. Learn more: GCRealtyInc.com/tenant-placement

Has Property Mgmt become an opportunity cost for you? Let us lower your risk and give you your time back to grow. Learn more: GCRealtyinc.com

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As an investor, how do I handle receipt of a demand letter?

If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Bibek Das, Das Law

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2025.