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!

=============

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?

-----------------

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

-----------------

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!

=============

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?

-----------------

Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

What type of financing are investors utilizing to get deals done and what are the pros and cons of each option?

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guests: Perry Farella, First Community Mortgage

Link: How 2 Fund Renovation Blog

-----------------

Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

Kirby Atwell is a former US Army Officer turned real estate investor and podcast host with a focus on short-term rentals!

Kirby starts with his experience in the military and jumping into real estate shortly after reading “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”! With over 100 renovated properties under his belt, he shares great insights on small and large flips including pros and cons of both options. Kirby discusses the midwest markets that he focuses on to maximize cash flow and how experimenting with a basement short-term rental led him to change his focus to STRs! He sprinkles in some STR horror stories and closes with a bullish take on owning vacation rentals in Michigan City.

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

=============

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: Kirby Atwell, Living Off Rentals

Link: Living Off Rentals Podcast

Link: Best Fit Homes (Network Referral)

Link: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant (Book Recommendation)

Guest Questions

01:40 Housing Provider Tip - Take the CIC property management class!

03:56 Intro to our guest, Kirby Atwell!

11:04 Kirby’s first couple properties!

15:27 Kirby’s return to Chicago after the military!

19:22 Comparing small vs large flips.

26:12 Getting aggressive on acquisition.

32:34 Building a cash flow for financial freedom!

38:09 Experimenting with Short Term Rentals.

45:52 STR horror stories!

50:40 Deal flow in Michigan City.

56:28 Starting a podcast.

59:00 What is your competitive advantage?

60:07 One piece of advice for new investors.

61:06 What do you do for fun?

62:40 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

63:40 Local Network Recommendation?

64:31 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

-----------------

Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

Taft West is the Vice President of Technical Assistance and Sustainability for the Chicago Community Loan Fund and is a renown property management instructor!

Taft starts by sharing his background which includes some autopsy experience! He talks about starting in Chicago real estate, managing condominiums, and public housing in the late 1970s. Taft discusses the differences in leasing now compared to 40 years ago! He drops golden nuggets on the biggest mistakes landlords make and screen out bad tenants. Taft closes with powerful words on doing good work for your community to make a difference!

Celebrate Taft: Are you one of the many owners who took one of Taft’s classes? You can express your gratitude to Taft in-person on October 17th. He is being recognized by the Law Center for Better Housing for his work educating tenants and landlords about how to work together to build community. Learn more and celebrate Taft here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/lawcenterforbetterhousing/event/2024lcbhfallbenefit/

=============

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: Taft West & Jared Kott, Chicago Community Loan Fund & Marblestone Property Group

Link: Unacknowledged (Book Recommendation)

Link: SUCI Ep 284 - Jared Kott

Link: SUCI Ep 94 - Stacie Young (CIC)

Guest Questions

01:45 Intro to our guest, Taft West and Jared Kott!

03:33 Taft’s backstory!

19:01 Taft’s transition into property management.

28:00 Leasing apartments back in the 1970s!

37:23 How Taft started working with CIC!

45:03 Biggest mistake landlords make.

54:52 Building a Community!

61:30 What is your competitive advantage?

62:50 One piece of advice for new investors.

63:46 What do you do for fun?

66:22 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

67:24 Local Network Recommendation?

68:21 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you

-----------------

Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

What Should Investors Do To Ensure a Successful Rehab?

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guests: Jonathan Klemm, Quality Builders

Link: Episode 76: Big Business Processes Make a Powerful Small Business with Jonathan Klemm

-----------------

Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.

Michael Valente is the founder and CEO of Renovation Sells Franchising; general contracting experts that focus on cosmetic renovations of pre-market homes to maximize sales price!

Michael shares how he left his corporate job and began working for his mentor to learn the ropes of general contracting and renovation! He talks about starting his own general contracting business and the biggest lessons learned as he grew his business. He breaks down the genesis of Renovation Sells; his general contracting company that focuses on cosmetic renovations of pre-market homes so sellers can get top dollar! Michael dives into how he franchised his business and the most critical considerations in this process. Throughout the show, Michael emphasizes the importance of networking and largely attributes that to his success!

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: Michael Valente, Renovation Sells

Link: Joel Schaub (Lender)

Link: Faruk Daudbasic (Lender)

Guest Questions

02:12 Housing Provider Tip - Ensure your units are priced correctly to find a renter before the end of leasing season.

04:30 Intro to our guest, Michael Valente!

09:02 Getting a General Contracting business off the ground!

15:38 Leaving a mentor to start your own business.

21:11 The idea of franchising a business.

30:01 How the franchise model works.

37:44 Biggest mistakes Michael made scaling his business.

43:08 Michael’s pre-COVID Pilsen building!

46:37 Goals for the Renovation Sells franchise!

49:16 Top networking tips!

51:53 What is your competitive advantage?

52:41 One piece of advice for new investors.

53:10 What do you do for fun?

53:23 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

54:32 Local Network Recommendation?

55:48 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

-----------------

Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.