Property Management Blog

By Mark Ainley

The Chicago Department of Planning & Development recently announced that it will offer land for new ...

Land that the City of Chicago owns and is looking for a development team to redevelop is both left and right of the station. (The above view is looking southeast.)The Kedzie station, above Lake Street, is in the East Garfield Park community area, next to The Hatchery, a shared co...

By Mark Ainley

Rising mortgage rates: This is going to be a bumpy road

As interest rates rise, more homeowners will struggle to afford their mortgage payments. If you’re considering purchasing a home, now might be a good time to lock in an interest rate while they’re still at historic lows. Otherwise, wait until things settle down before...

By Aaron Zimmerman

The Rental Property Life Cycle

Previously, I’ve talked about each stage in the life cycle of a rental property (purchase, rehab, monthly work, and disposition). In this article, I wanted to piece together the entire life cycle of a rental property.Key TermsBefore we start, please see the key terms that w...

By Aaron Zimmerman

The Fix and Flip Life Cycle

I haven't had the chance to talk about fix and flips yet. My apologies to the fix and flip real estate investors for the delay! This article will be a comprehensive guide for understanding the tax implications of fix and flips. There are three main stages: purchase, rehab, an...

By Mark Ainley

Are Real Estate Investments The Best Kind Of Alternative Investments?

Are you an executive who just retired after being in corporate practice for several years?Or an entrepreneur who just sold a business? Perhaps you are a new graduate who received an inheritance unexpectedly? Or, you may be the lucky one who won the biggest jackpot in ...

By Mark Ainley

Are You Ready To Invest In Real Estate?

Real estate investing requires a lot of hard work and proper planning. It can be a phenomenal wealth-building strategy, but without the proper set of expectations and goals, it may not be the best fit for you. I often hear people talk about real estate as this sure-thing money ma...

By Mark Ainley

How Tom Turned His 200K into Millions

The Tom I mention here is my great podcast co-host, Tom Shallcross—a lifelong northwest sider. Tom was born and raised in Dunning, and today, he still resides there with his wife and 4 children. He's a few minutes away from where he grew up, but thanks to his real estat...

By Kevin Cawley

The Beginner's Guide To Identifying Quality Cost Segregation Studies

How to Identify a quality cost segregation study in ChicagoIf you're looking for cost segregation studies, you might feel intimidated. Basically, there are plenty of options out there, some of which include computer models, alternatives, and workoutarounds accompanied by...

By Aaron Zimmerman

Become A Better Client To Your CPA

In a recent article, I discussed all the ways your CPA can add value to you. Now, let’s turn the tables around back on you. People like to do business with people they know, like, and trust. Here are four tips for how you can be an ideal client for your CPA.Be OrganizedBein...

By Kevin Cawley

How Cost Segregation Can Lower Your Property Tax Bill

Do you own any stocks that you're thinking about selling? Are you also an owner of a commercial property? If so, it just might be time to consider cost segregation. Cost segregation could lower your taxable income.This will make your capital gain less when you sell stock and ...