From $0 to 7 Units in Chicago — Happy to Answer Questions or Share What I’ve Learned

Chicago, Illinois
Real Estate Deal Analysis & Advice
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From $0 to 7 Units in Chicago — Happy to Answer Questions or Share What I’ve Learned

Micah White
Real Estate Coach · Chicago, IL · Member since 2020 · 171 posts · 64 votes

Hey everyone —

I’ve been quietly investing and reading BP for years, but finally decided it’s time to give back and be more active here.

I’m Micah — a Chicago-based investor who started with zero experience, saved up working a W-2, and bought my first multifamily in Logan Square in 2024 Fast forward to today, and I’ve built a 7-unit portfolio, founded a real estate coaching business, and helped close over $175M in larger commercial deals through my work in acquisitions.

I work mostly with first-timeinvestors in their 20s and 30s who want to buy their first rental but are overwhelmed with where to start. Through my business (Brick by Brick Blueprint), I help them:

  • - Understand their numbers

  • - Build a plan

  • - Make confident offers

  • - Actually close

If you’re working toward your first or next deal — especially if you’re in a high-cost city or trying to do it without family connections or a ton of capital — I’m happy to answer questions, share resources, or just be someone you can bounce ideas off of.

Let me know how I can help!

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Kenya Glenn
Member since 2025 · 7 posts · 4 votes
1y

Aloha,

Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished! I find it very inspiring and I hope one day I can follow in similar footsteps.

I’m a first time investor and soon-to-be graduate student at the University of Michigan this upcoming fall. My goal is to house hack my first property, ideally a single-family home or small multifamily, and rent out the extra rooms to help cover the mortgage.

I’m planning to go the FHA route since I want to leverage what I’ve saved and preserve some cash for repairs or future investments. I’ve been doing a lot of groundwork and research, and I’m almost ready to go full force—I just need to lock in a few more missing pieces. I’d love your insight on house hacking in a college town, especially with seasonal turnover, and how to balance self-managing a rental while being in grad school.

Also, feel free to check out my page if you’re open to it. I’ve posted more about my situation and the questions I’ve been exploring. Thanks for being so open to connecting and supporting new investors. It truly means a lot!

Mahalo,

Kenya 🌺

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  • Nadeem Alamgir
    Real Estate Agent · Member since 2023 · 831 posts · 577 votes
    1y

    Congrats on your success on building a 7 unit portfolio! @Micah White

    0Reply
  • Aaron ZimmermanBusiness Member
    Accountant · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    Great to hear! Keep acquiring more units and helping more people. That's the name of the game!

    [email protected]
    Brick House CPAs53 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Jaycee GreenePro Member
    Real Estate Consultant · St. Louis MSA · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 727 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Micah White:

    Hey everyone —

    I’ve been quietly investing and reading BP for years, but finally decided it’s time to give back and be more active here.

    I’m Micah — a Chicago-based investor who started with zero experience, saved up working a W-2, and bought my first multifamily in Logan Square in 2024 Fast forward to today, and I’ve built a 7-unit portfolio, founded a real estate coaching business, and helped close over $175M in larger commercial deals through my work in acquisitions.

    I work mostly with first-timeinvestors in their 20s and 30s who want to buy their first rental but are overwhelmed with where to start. Through my business (Brick by Brick Blueprint), I help them:

    • - Understand their numbers

    • - Build a plan

    • - Make confident offers

    • - Actually close

    If you’re working toward your first or next deal — especially if you’re in a high-cost city or trying to do it without family connections or a ton of capital — I’m happy to answer questions, share resources, or just be someone you can bounce ideas off of.

    Let me know how I can help!

    @Micah White What's the LTV and DSCR for your 7-unit portfolio?

    [email protected]
    0Reply
    • Micah White
      OP
      Real Estate Coach · Chicago, IL · Member since 2020 · 171 posts · 64 votes
      1y

      @Jaycee Greene I'd say roughly 80-85% LTV and about 1.1-1.2 DSCR

      0Reply
    • Jaycee GreenePro Member
      Real Estate Consultant · St. Louis MSA · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 727 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Micah White:

      @Jaycee Greene I'd say roughly 80-85% LTV and about 1.1-1.2 DSCR

      @Micah White Is that DSCR calculated using just PITI (like hard money loans) or does it use all operating expenses (like a bank or credit union lender)?

      [email protected]
      0Reply
    • Micah White
      OP
      Real Estate Coach · Chicago, IL · Member since 2020 · 171 posts · 64 votes
      1y

      @Jaycee Greene only PITI

      0Reply
    • Jaycee GreenePro Member
      Real Estate Consultant · St. Louis MSA · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 727 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Micah White:

      @Jaycee Greene only PITI

      @Micah White With your coaching business, how do you introduce the financial proformas and soliciting a loan in the overall process?

      [email protected]
      0Reply
    • Micah White
      OP
      Real Estate Coach · Chicago, IL · Member since 2020 · 171 posts · 64 votes
      1y

      @Jaycee Greene generally during the first month of working with a client I introduce them to my proforma and teach them how to use it to accurately underwrite opportunities. After we solidify their investment strategy and timeline, I connect them with my network (lenders, agents, other investors) to get them pre-appproved and out submitting offers!!

      0Reply
    • Jaycee GreenePro Member
      Real Estate Consultant · St. Louis MSA · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 727 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Micah White:

      @Jaycee Greene generally during the first month of working with a client I introduce them to my proforma and teach them how to use it to accurately underwrite opportunities. After we solidify their investment strategy and timeline, I connect them with my network (lenders, agents, other investors) to get them pre-appproved and out submitting offers!!

      @Micah White If they're getting pre-approved, then they're probably either house hacking or buying the property in their personal name (instead of an LLC), is that accurate?

      [email protected]
      0Reply
    • Micah White
      OP
      Real Estate Coach · Chicago, IL · Member since 2020 · 171 posts · 64 votes
      1y

      @Jaycee Greene yes, correct. A large percentage of my clients are first-time or new investors and opt to finance under their personal names. 

      0Reply
    • Jaycee GreenePro Member
      Real Estate Consultant · St. Louis MSA · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 727 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Micah White:

      @Jaycee Greene yes, correct. A large percentage of my clients are first-time or new investors and opt to finance under their personal names. 

      @Micah White Makes sense. If you have folks that want to buy in an LLC and you can't help them, I work with those investors and help them secure financing for turnkey and value add properties. Good luck to you!

      [email protected]
      0Reply
    • Micah White
      OP
      Real Estate Coach · Chicago, IL · Member since 2020 · 171 posts · 64 votes
      1y

      @Jaycee Greene good luck to you too!

      1Reply
  • Micah White
    OP
    Real Estate Coach · Chicago, IL · Member since 2020 · 171 posts · 64 votes
    1y

    Only PITI

    0Reply
  • Kenya Glenn
    Member since 2025 · 7 posts · 4 votes
    1y

    Aloha,

    Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished! I find it very inspiring and I hope one day I can follow in similar footsteps.

    I’m a first time investor and soon-to-be graduate student at the University of Michigan this upcoming fall. My goal is to house hack my first property, ideally a single-family home or small multifamily, and rent out the extra rooms to help cover the mortgage.

    I’m planning to go the FHA route since I want to leverage what I’ve saved and preserve some cash for repairs or future investments. I’ve been doing a lot of groundwork and research, and I’m almost ready to go full force—I just need to lock in a few more missing pieces. I’d love your insight on house hacking in a college town, especially with seasonal turnover, and how to balance self-managing a rental while being in grad school.

    Also, feel free to check out my page if you’re open to it. I’ve posted more about my situation and the questions I’ve been exploring. Thanks for being so open to connecting and supporting new investors. It truly means a lot!

    Mahalo,

    Kenya 🌺

    1Reply
    • Micah White
      OP
      Real Estate Coach · Chicago, IL · Member since 2020 · 171 posts · 64 votes
      1y

      @Kenya Glenn Aloha, Kenya! I love Ann Arbor. Some of my closest friends went to undergrad there! I'm a Hoosier so don't tell anyone I said that 🤫. What a great place to start your investing journey. You're definitely off to a great start! I'd love to jump on a call with you to talk about how we can best tailor your strategy for the Ann Arbor rental market. 

      0Reply
  • Jennifer De Selles
    Member since 2025 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    1y

    I'm in Dallas can you help me get started?

    0Reply
    • Micah White
      OP
      Real Estate Coach · Chicago, IL · Member since 2020 · 171 posts · 64 votes
      1y

      @Jennifer De Selles Hi Jennifer! Thank you for reaching out. I'd love to help where I can! What does your timeline look like?

      0Reply
  • Austin Plough
    Homeowner · Western Slope, CO · Member since 2023 · 42 posts · 21 votes
    1y

    Hi there, Micah.

    Nice work in Chicago!

    My question to you – what has been your mindset around leverage and using that to build your 7-unit portfolio?

    I would consider myself a bit risk-averse, am seeking ways to better understand how comfort with risk plays into decision making. My wife & I purchased our first home this spring and are now preparing to House Hack. We are interested in implementing the long-term buy and hold strategy in our area of the Colorado Rockies (Western Slope).

    Thanks, so much!

    Austin

    0Reply
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