Podcast

By Mark Ainley

How to Invest in DuPage County with Katie and Rob Hayes

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 learne...

By Mark Ainley

Episode 385: What is a Demand Letter and How to Handle Receipt of a Demand Letter

Properties for Sale on the North Side? We want to buy them. Email: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.comHave a vacancy? We can place your next tenant and give you back 30-40 hours of your time. Learn more: GCRealtyInc.com/tenant-placementHas Property Mgmt become an...

By Mark Ainley

Episode 384: From Cold Calling to Billions of Dollars in Loans Originated with Jake Clopton

Jake Clopton, President of Clopton Capital, has successfully been running his commercial lending business for over 17 years. Jake shares how he grinded early in his career to get off the ground, and emphasizes the value of cold calling. He explains the different types of int...

By Mark Ainley

Episode 383: From Chemist to Chicago’s “Bow Tie” Attorney w/Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib

Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib is an attorney with vast experience in real estate transactions, development, and litigation allowing him to bring huge value to his clients.Mahmoud gives his back story including time in the laboratory as a chemist and starting various businesses prior to...

By Mark Ainley

Episode 382: What Investors Need to Know About Built to Rent Opportunities in Chicago

Preparing Your Property To Add an ADU Properties for Sale on the North Side? We want to buy them. Email: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.comHave a vacancy? We can place your next tenant and give you back 30-40 hours of your time. Learn more: GCRealtyInc.com/tenant...

By Mark Ainley

Episode 381: How Chicago’s Powerhouse Lender Renovo Financial Was Built with Kevin Werner

Kevin Werner, CEO of Renovo Financial, has over 20 years of experience building and scaling successful lending companies!Kevin discusses his start in the lending business including his first company that did not survive the Great Financial Crisis. He shares lessons learned from l...

By Mark Ainley

Episode 380: Innovation in Modular Housing With Rory Rubin

Rory Rubin shows us first hand how S.I. Container Builds is bringing high quality, low maintenance steel dwellings to help solve the housing supply shortage!Rory jumps right with a recap of modular housing and the advantages it brings over traditional brick and wood housing struc...

By Mark Ainley

Episode 378: How Wonderful Togbey Built a 20-Unit Portfolio Against the Odds

Wonderful Togbey joins us to explain how he’s grinded to build a rental portfolio of 20 doors and is actively scaling!Wonderful shares his start in REI back in Omaha, Nebraska. He breaks down a deal in Bronzeville that closed right at the onset of COVID that came equipped w...

By Mark Ainley

Episode 377: This is How Grit Can Take You Further in Chicago Real Estate with Daniel Baker

Daniel Baker, owner of Teton Properties, explains how he’s built a portfolio with strategic house hacks and value-add renovations.Daniel discusses his move from Memphis to Chicago to get started in real estate. He shares some hilarious stories on househack value-add project...

By Mark Ainley

Episode 376: Buy Before You Sell; How To Write Offers Non-Contingent on The Sale of Your Existing Pr...

Properties for Sale on the North Side? We want to buy them. Email: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.comHave a vacancy? We can place your next tenant and give you back 30-40 hours of your time. Learn more: GCRealtyInc.com/tenant-placementHas Property Mgmt become an ...