All Forum Posts by: April Pangilinan

Hi Alejandro!! I currently have a SFH as a rental in Bolingbrook. Like you, it was our primary residence which we turned into a rental once we got our 3 flat. @John Warren Was actually our agent who helped us buy our first (and then second) house hack in berwyn. I’d be happy to chat if you want to!

@John Warren I cant tag him either! His handle is [RJ D.]. @Swetha Solipuram his company is EJC Partners. Jonathan Klemm is a great contact as well!

@Carli Schlaker Please feel free to reach out! Thanks for the tag @John Warren!! 

Thanks for the mention @John Warren!! We host a monthly gathering for REI, check us out would love to connect! Congrats on the Duplex! https://www.meetup.com/windy-c...

Hi AJa! My fiancé and I started our real estate journey last year by renting our our SFH in Bolingbrook, and currently house-hacking a 3 flat in Berwyn. We are also looking to invest more in the Chicagoland market. If you ever want to chat or exchange ideas shoot me a DM! Ive always wanted to invest in Hyde Park, Woodlawn, Pilsen areas as well, currently researching the neighborhoods more to get a better feel for them. How familiar are you with the neighborhoods you want to invest in?

@John Warren was essential in helping me and fiancé start with our househack deal in Berwyn, IL! He was able to link us up with a great RE Lawyer, and his CPA also just helped us file our first Schedule E! I definitely recommend at least chatting with him and seeing what he can offer! You wont regret it!

@Richie Thomas hello Richie, I am from Bolingbrook, and have a SFH rental that is currently occupied. Bolingbrook is saturated in terms of land available for new building. This is a good thing because you will not be competing with new builds, and homes are "limited" in terms of new acquisition. It is a great underrated neighborhood with low taxes and decent schools. The village is vey easy to work with as well.

@Meryl McElwain Hello! What is the best way to negotiate a contract to a contractor once they put in a bid for their estimate When is the best time to collect insurance and licenses? Is it better to provide them with a scope of work or allow them to draft on themselves:? Also, do you usually cover materials costs or is it better for the owner allow them to buy materials through a pro account at Home Depot.

Ive done it both ways where the contractor would provide their own scope of work or i would provide them with a scope of work during walk through for an initial bid. Seemed to work better when I drafted it myself.

Some contractors show a per hour for labor and some do not. Is it common to negotiate labor hours to lower cost?

Sorry so many questions, just trying to see it from the other side

@Eric Mota Hi Eric! I would start out by finding your local REIA (real estate investors association) and start networking. You can speak with other investors who are like-minded, and can give you contacts for local realtors who they've made deals with in the past. Also, it really helps when your realtor also invests in the area that you are looking in. Build your network! It is intimidating and scary at first but its a great place to start!

@Kyle J. We recently had to do exactly this, due to our contractor falling ill. He kept insisting that he could finish the work, yet the deadline kept being moved back and no progress was being made on our checkups of the property. When we finally decided to fire him, it almost seemed as if he was relieved, and because we were able to keep a good line of communication and mutual respect, the premature ending of the contract went well. We came to the table with a price in mind we were ready to pay him for the work that was completed, but allowed him to say a price he thought was fair first. He came in about 1500 less than we were willing to pay!