Seeking to connect with house hackers in Chicago

Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2023 · 4 posts · 2 votes

Hi Everyone,

I'm a first-time buyer looking to house hack a 2-4 unit fixer-upper on the North/NW side of Chicago. I'm looking to connect with investors/house hackers in Chicago for agent and lender refferals!

Your recommendation is much appreciated.

Thank you!

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John Clark

Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes

9mo

Quote from @Dami Lolah:

Hi Everyone,

I'm a first-time buyer looking to house hack a 2-4 unit fixer-upper on the North/NW side of Chicago. I'm looking to connect with investors/house hackers in Chicago for agent and lender refferals!

Your recommendation is much appreciated.

Thank you!

North and NW sides are fully priced. Consider the Southwest side. Follow the Orange Line towards Midway.

Better yet, avoid the Chicago and Illinois idiocy altogether and invest in NW Indiana.

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John Clark
Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9mo
Quote from @Dami Lolah:

Hi Everyone,

I'm a first-time buyer looking to house hack a 2-4 unit fixer-upper on the North/NW side of Chicago. I'm looking to connect with investors/house hackers in Chicago for agent and lender refferals!

Your recommendation is much appreciated.

Thank you!

North and NW sides are fully priced. Consider the Southwest side. Follow the Orange Line towards Midway.
Better yet, avoid the Chicago and Illinois idiocy altogether and invest in NW Indiana.
2 Reply
- Dami Lolah
  OP
  Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2023 · 4 posts · 2 votes
  9mo
  @John Clark Thank you! I'll start looking into those areas too.
  0 Reply
Aaron ZimmermanBusiness Member
Accountant · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9mo
Welcome Dami! Chicago is a fantastic market but knowing the local rules and having a solid network is crucial for your success.

I house hacked a property in Irving park a couple years ago and it's one of the best decisions I've done. Feel free to reach out - happy to answer any questions you may have.

Id also encourage you to get out to the local meetups as well
[email protected]
Brick House CPAs53 Reviews
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2 Reply
Eudith VacioPro Member
Real Estate Agent · Chicago & NWI · Member since 2015 · 860 posts · 521 votes
9mo
@Dami Lolah 👋🏽

Welcome! Always great to see more people diving into house hacking in Chicago — there are so many ways to make it work here in Chicago.

There are tons of opportunities depending on what you're looking for. What’s your house-hack buy box? (Neighborhoods, budget, unit count, etc.) And how much work are you open to doing — light cosmetic updates or a full value-add rehab?

Chicago has a lot of older housing stock, so finding something slightly under market and improving it is one of the best ways to increase cash flow and build equity quickly.

But I also agree with @John Clark on the southwest side of Chicago (that's where my properties are at) + NWI has some great options, too. I have properties in Chicago + NWI and inventory is less expensive + landlord friendly (evictions are 1 month vs. 6 month+ year in Chicago)
2 Reply
Victor SoBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 324 posts · 192 votes
9mo
Quote from @Dami Lolah:

Hi Everyone,

I'm a first-time buyer looking to house hack a 2-4 unit fixer-upper on the North/NW side of Chicago. I'm looking to connect with investors/house hackers in Chicago for agent and lender refferals!

Your recommendation is much appreciated.

Thank you!
Welcome! I’ve househacked on the north/northside of Chicago as well as suburbs for many years. Let me know how I can help!
Victor So Real Estate LLC517 Reviews
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Jonathan KlemmBusiness Member
Moderator
Contractor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9mo
Hey There @Dami Lolah - Welcome to the BP Chicago community! I am a former house hacker myself in Bucktown and Logan Square. Love your plan!

For lenders, try connecting with @Zack Karp or @Jose Valdovinos, both great guys who know Chicago 2-4 units very well.
Also, highly recommend coming to some of the local meetup groups. Here is a list of them on BP: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-real-estate-events-...
[email protected]
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Dami Lolah
OP
Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2023 · 4 posts · 2 votes
9mo
Thank you for your response@Victor So! I appreciate it. Do you know any GC in the area you could introduce me to?
0 Reply
Paul De Luca
Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9mo
@Dami Lolah
I'm an agent currently house hacking in Portage Park and have been house hacking since 2019 across several properties. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me!
0 Reply
Micah White
Real Estate Coach · Chicago, IL · Member since 2020 · 171 posts · 64 votes
9mo
House hack is the best strategy out there! It's exactly how I started as well. Can't recommend it enough. Happy to connect you to contractors and lenders as well if you still need!
0 Reply
Henry Lazerow
Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9mo
I house hack in Rogers Park a 4 unit feel free to reach out! I have lots of clients doing house hacks along the blue line areas for example, East Humboldt Park, Avondale or Logan Square, specifically 4 units as these are what cashflow best once you move out. I also like Albany Park a lot and recently offered on a place for myself there.
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