One Successful Flip Is All I Need — Seeking the Right Mentor

Real Estate Professional · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 17 posts · 6 votes

I am a 40-year-old truck driver born and raised on the South Side of Chicago with hands-on experience owning and managing two income properties—a duplex purchased at 33 and a single-family home in the south suburbs acquired at 35. I am currently studying accounting, with a strong foundation in finance.

I am seeking my first full-scale rehab project and am looking to learn by working alongside a seasoned investor. I am eager to contribute wherever needed in exchange for firsthand exposure to the rehab process. This is the primary reason I am connecting through the BiggerPockets platform.

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Aaron ZimmermanBusiness Member

Accountant · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes

9mo

@Donald Nichols - there's a ton of great local meetups that I'd recommend going to. If I was in your area, I'd recommend checking out the southwest housing providers group to meet people. Theres also a full list on the straight up Chicago investor podcast.

[email protected]

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Aaron ZimmermanBusiness Member
Accountant · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9mo
@Donald Nichols - there's a ton of great local meetups that I'd recommend going to. If I was in your area, I'd recommend checking out the southwest housing providers group to meet people. Theres also a full list on the straight up Chicago investor podcast.
[email protected]
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Ken M.
Investor · Get yourself trained before doing something inadvisable. · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9mo
Quote from @Donald Nichols:

I am a 40-year-old truck driver born and raised on the South Side of Chicago with hands-on experience owning and managing two income properties—a duplex purchased at 33 and a single-family home in the south suburbs acquired at 35. I am currently studying accounting, with a strong foundation in finance.

I am seeking my first full-scale rehab project and am looking to learn by working alongside a seasoned investor. I am eager to contribute wherever needed in exchange for firsthand exposure to the rehab process. This is the primary reason I am connecting through the BiggerPockets platform.
Well, I admire your spunk. Keep in mind though that for a flip/rehab to work, time is important. That means you can't be on the road and get anything done.
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Donald Nichols
OP
Real Estate Professional · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 17 posts · 6 votes
9mo
Yes, sir, thanks good advice. I plan on overseeing the project. I rarely go out of town anymore. I am just getting all my ducks in a row, don't plan on buying anything until the 3 quarter of next year. Do you know what is the best time to buy during the year is?
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Jonathan KlemmBusiness Member
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Contractor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9mo
Hey what's up @Donald Nichols! My significant other and I are currently under contract with an auctioned occupied single-family property in the near SW suburbs of Chicago (Brookfield, LaGrange).

Happy to get you on board to help with the flip. What's your schedule like? @Ken M. makes a good point about the time required.
[email protected]
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Crystal SmithPro Member
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Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9mo
Quote from @Donald Nichols:

I am a 40-year-old truck driver born and raised on the South Side of Chicago with hands-on experience owning and managing two income properties—a duplex purchased at 33 and a single-family home in the south suburbs acquired at 35. I am currently studying accounting, with a strong foundation in finance.

I am seeking my first full-scale rehab project and am looking to learn by working alongside a seasoned investor. I am eager to contribute wherever needed in exchange for firsthand exposure to the rehab process. This is the primary reason I am connecting through the BiggerPockets platform.

Happy to meet you virtually. Feel free to reach out to me.
312-681-7487
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Donald Nichols
OP
Real Estate Professional · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 17 posts · 6 votes
9mo
Wow, this may sound funny, but I didn't know this stuff really worked. I have heard of people using forums to learn and network, but I am so excited to see it really working. Thank you so much for your time and number. I will definitely be adding you to my contacts, and I look forward to giving you a ring one day and us talking. Thank you again for your willingness to help a person in need. Happy holidays and god bless.
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Henry Lazerow
Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9mo
Welcome from Chicago also! Check out Little Village for southside its great for flips right now on 2 and 3 units. I just closed a flip there myself earlier this year. For the first one just look for something that needs basic work like kitchens bath etc. You do not need a mentor, just get quotes during review and if numbers look good move forward. Avoid high risk stuff like hard money etc. until you have a solid track record. Your agent can get you good contacts for labor if you do not have them already, if you can do any work yourself even better to save $.
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Donald Nichols
OP
Real Estate Professional · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 17 posts · 6 votes
9mo
@Aaron Zimmerman Thank you so much for your help and advice. I will look into both sources. I hope 2026 is all that we want it to be. I will continue to look out for your informal post. Thanks again.
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Donald Nichols
OP
Real Estate Professional · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 17 posts · 6 votes
9mo
@Henry Lazerow , my man, this is some awesome advice. I can tell you know and understand what I'm up against. I have been dipping my toe in the real estate game for about ten years I overthink everything. I am still building and increasing my confidence, you know what I'm saying. But good advice to start small with simple remodeling like kitchen and bath, I had just come around to locking in on starting with something small like that. It's going to be so much fun, I can already tell. Thank you again, and let me ask, can I use you as a resource for bouncing some rehab ideas off It would be great if I could. Thanks.
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Donald Nichols
OP
Real Estate Professional · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 17 posts · 6 votes
9mo
@Jonathan Klemm Hi Jonathan, nice to meet you. I would be willing to help in whatever capacity I can. i currently live in Calumet City, which is south of Chicago, about 20 minutes from downtown. I can be your eye on the ground if you live far or out of state it would be my pleasure to assist. It would help me see and process the behind-the-scenes of a flip, and that's what I need the most. My schedule is as follows: I work mornings, Monday through Friday, from 6 am to 5 pm, and I am off weekends. I am available in the evenings and on weekends if that works for you. Count me in. Let me know, thanks.
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Lee Burns
Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 336 posts · 161 votes
9mo
Hi Don, I sent you a message a few days ago
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Jonathan KlemmBusiness Member
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Contractor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9mo
Shoot me a message @Donald Nichols and we can connect! I'm familar with Calumet City my other partner who would be a great person to connect with lives in that area @Julio Aguirre. He's a flipper here in Chicago as well!

That would most definitely be a grind to work all day and do some nighttime real estate work, but sometimes that's what it takes to get ahead, so I love where your head is at!
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