Skip to main content

Episode 77: Screening, Operating, And Understanding Chicago’s West Side

Roman Viere manages and operates over 900 apartment units, and the majority of these units are in Austin. Austin is geographically Chicago’s largest neighborhood and offers everything from a 9-hole golf course to struggling store fronts. It takes a hands-on approach to analyze, screen and operate in a neighborhood like Austin, and Roman provides tactical insights and street-level knowledge useful to anyone looking to scale on Chicago’s West Side. Did you learn something new from this episode? Please share it with a friend and leave us a review!

Guest Intro 4:45

How did you get started in Austin? 5:16

What are the different pockets of Austin and what can it do for an investor? 7:09

Why are most opportunities on Washington Blvd? 9:14

Why is the cap rate in Austin higher? 9:56

What are red flags when screening C and D class incomes? 14:01

What vacancy factor should I use in Austin? 16:16

What maintenance factor should I use in Austin? 17:25

How do you handle chargebacks? 20:49

What is the price per door right now in Austin? 22:07

How have you adjusted your business based on the economy? 23:53

What is the upside to investing in Austin? 26:27

How have you become a part of the community in Austin? 31:11

What is the minimum amount of doors I need to be successful in Austin? 33:25

Why buy in Blue Island? 39:02

What’s your competitive advantage? 41:22

Advice for new investors? 42:08

What do you do for fun? 43:24

Self development activity? 44:03

Local network recommendation? 44:58

How can we learn more about you? 45:49

Thanks for tuning into our show!

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

Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest Name: Roman Viere

Guest Company: Urban Alternatives

Guest Link: www.ua4rent.com

Other Links for show notes:

Greater Austin Development Association

Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance

Oak Park Regional Housing Center

West Cook Housing Homeownership Services

Am I Being Too Subtle? by Sam Zell

Devil In The White City by Erik Larson

Phillip Moore - Senior Law Officer at CIC

Summer soiréé

back