Sean Douglas of the Axon Group discusses his adventurous start to his real estate journey!

Sean began his investment career when he inherited his grandparent’s home, which after numerous setbacks, he eventually flipped! He breaks down how he jumped into the deep end by doing construction himself. After having a contractor steal $7000 from him, Sean recaps the long days of work that it took to get his flip project to the finish line. Sean also shares details on his 4-unit house hack and considerations when investing in “picky” towns and villages. Throughout the show, Sean demonstrates how his perseverance and discipline have allowed him to get past difficult situations and become a stronger investor and person!

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: Sean Douglas, The Axon Group

Link: A Book of Five Rings (Book Recommendation)

Link: Can't Hurt Me (Book Recommendation)

Link: Kevin Kaspers (Lender Referral)

Link: On Target Home Inspection (Referral)

Link: Aparicio Law (Referral)

Guest Questions

02:19 Housing Provider Tip - Be aware of permit and inspection requirements from municipalities!

04:48 Intro to our guest, Sean Douglas!

09:06 Sean’s start in investing.

11:54 Inheriting your grandparent’s home.

15:03 Leveraging BiggerPockets to find resources!

21:22 Early (goofy) mistakes and learning construction.

28:29 Disposition of crazy flip project!

32:56 Life post flip project.

40:04 Sean’s 4-unit house hack adventure.

49:17 From real estate inspector to broker.

58:23 What is your competitive advantage?

58:53 One piece of advice for new investors.

59:14 What do you do for fun?

59:22 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

60:15 Local Network Recommendation?

60:56 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 2024.

What should I focus on in negotiating a multifamily transaction?

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Noah Birk, Kiser Group

Link: Kiser Group

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

Luke Blahnik returns to educate us on the new Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance.

Luke jumps right in by explaining the ins and outs of the expansion of the Predominance of the Block (606) District under this new ordinance. He breaks down the increased fees to demolish a multi-unit building, limitations on building single family homes, and requirements for selling a tenant-occupied building in the area. Luke, Mark, and Tom discuss how the Ordinance will not be able to accomplish the goal of preserving affordable housing and instead could have negative impacts to landlords and tenants. A main takeaway from today’s show is to stay involved in housing provider communities and make your voice heard to stop policies that do not help landlords, tenants, and/or the City of Chicago as whole.

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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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: Luke Blahnik, Flora | Blahnik @properties

Link: Flora Blahnik Instagram

Link: SUCI Ep 32 - Luke Blahnik's First Episode

Link: Unreasonable Hospitality (Book Recommendation)

Link: Copy of Ordinance

Guest Questions

03:13 Housing Provider Tip - Stay involved in your community so your voice is heard.

04:53 Intro to our guest, Luke Blahnik!

05:27 The “Northwest Preservation Ordinance” Explained.

19:32 Exemptions for the Ordinance.

19:10 Benefits of raising capital and passive investments!

22:40 Groups most impacted by the Ordinance.

36:28 What’s next following the implementation of the Ordinance?

39:49 What is your competitive advantage?

40:24 One piece of advice for new investors.

40:42 What do you do for fun?

41:18 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

41:46 Local Network Recommendation?

42:31 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 2024.

RJ de Leon returns to the show to tell us about his most recent investments and how he’s managing his portfolio remotely as he and his family spend most of the year traveling!

RJ starts by discussing how he and his wife Nicky set up their investments and businesses to be able to manage them remotely and travel the country for months at a time! He gives tips for aspiring entrepreneurs that are planning to embark on a new journey. RJ explains all the benefits and considerations of passive investments and gets granular on analyzing investments. He also provides insights on capital raising and alternative investments beyond real estate that can allow you to work smarter, not harder. Throughout the show, RJ emphasizes the power of networking and being a “go-giver” to create your own luck!

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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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: RJ de Leon, NVR Capital & EJC Partners

Link: RJ's Instagram

Link: SUCI Ep 43 - RJ and Nicky

Link: The Actionable Mindset (RJ's Podcast)

Link: Chicago Multifamily Club

Link: The Go-Giver (Book Recommendation)

Link: Straight Up Sarita Sells Team

Guest Questions

04:08 Intro to our guest, RJ de Leon!

08:24 Getting into Capital Raising.

17:06 Preparation tips for embarking on a new journey!

19:10 Benefits of raising capital and passive investments!

25:51 The Power of Networking.

28:13 Analyzing a passive investment.

32:27 Accepting capital from investors.

38:18 RJ’s next trip and getting educated on alternative investments.

44:44 What is your competitive advantage?

45:13 One piece of advice for new investors.

46:21 What do you do for fun?

47:09 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

47:54 Local Network Recommendation?

48:44 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 2024.

What are the construction costs associated with building out a new ADU unit?

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guests: Jonathan Klemm, Quality Builders

Link: SUCI Episode 264: Unlocking Zoning Secrets: Your Guide to Chicago Zoning, ADUs, and Other Essential Information

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

George McCleary is a real estate investor and developer with two decades of experience. He is also the creator of courses that teach investors to protect themselves from Squatters and Deed Fraud!

George starts by discussing his viral “I Stole a House” video which explains how sophisticated squatters are able to steal a property owner's equity. He dives into the top precautionary measures against squatters and shines light on some wild “unconventional methods” to remove squatters. George explains the value that his Squatter Defender and Title Fraud Defender courses bring to investors. He closes with tips on title monitoring to prevent title fraud and empowering words to help aspiring real estate investors take action!

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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: George McCleary, Defender Networks

Link: George's Instagram

Link: Squatter Defender Course

Link: Title Fraud Defender Course

Link: SUCI Ep 278 - David Greene

Guest Questions

02:22 Housing Provider Tip - Provide excellent service to avoid vacancy as a Landlord!

04:26 Intro to our guest, George McCleary!

09:53 The “I Stole a House” Video!

12:38 Best precautionary measures against squatters.

17:46 Squatter “Unconventional Methods”.

24:00 Emerging Landlord-Friendly Legislation.

29:14 George’s Squatter Defender Program!

31:06 In and Outs of Deed Fraud.

38:45 How to prevent Title Fraud?

48:22 What is your competitive advantage?

49:00 One piece of advice for new investors.

49:55 What do you do for fun?

50:25 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

51:00 Local Network Recommendation?

51:39 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 2024.

Join us for the grand opening and ribbon-cutting clebration of Pentwater Cabinetry's newly renovated showroom! On September 25th at 4pm, we cut the ribbon on the future for Pentwater Cabinetry and their ability to fill your cabinet needs. Enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the event!

When: September 25th at 4pm

Where: 920 N Lombard Road, Lombard, IL 60148

Call: 630-487-5811

Visit: Pentwater Cabinetry

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

Horacio Tristan is a born and raised Chicagoan and full-time government employee who has built an impressive real estate portfolio and brokerage business!

Horacio starts by discussing his upbringing and his first few real estate deals on Chicago’s South Side. He explains how he built and maintained his real estate brokerage business during the housing crash. Horacio shares his geographic areas of focus and numbers-driven investment strategy. He discusses being an efficient real estate broker and how that has allowed him to succeed in brokerage while having a W2 job. In classic SUCI fashion, Horacio closes with a bullish outlook on Chicago!

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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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: Horacio Tristan, Kale Realty

Link: Horacio's LinkedIn

Link: SUCI Ep 311 - Alex Filin

Link: The Four Agreements (Book Recommendation)

Link: Nick Patterson (Network Referral)

Guest Questions

03:00 Housing Provider Tip - Be aware of the Chicago Heat Ordinance as a Housing Provider.

04:10 Intro to our guest, Horacio Tristan!

08:40 Horacio’s first few deals.

17:28 Navigating the Housing Crash.

28:40 Dealing with a distressed condo building.

31:47 Horacio’s investing strategy today!

38:00 Being a successful broker with a W2 job.

40:30 What’s next for Horacio?

44:58 The future of Chicago!

46:45 What is your competitive advantage?

47:25 One piece of advice for new investors.

47:50 What do you do for fun?

48:06 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

48:30 Local Network Recommendation?

48:37 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 2024.