All Forum Posts by: Daniel Cullen

That water heater poses no fire hazard at all despite a previous comment. None. Is that drip pan connected to a floor drain? If not, the real risk is flooding from a leak. 

If the unit is 'illegal' due to the building not being zoned as a 3 unit or 4 unit (whatever the case may be w/r/t number of units) then your first step could be a visit to the alderman's office to ask for re-zoning. Even if all the building code requirements are met the unit will still be illegal unless the building is zoned for the correct number of units which includes that basement space. If the space is 800 sq. ft. or less it may not require a second means of egress (Chicago is far more lax on this than many other jurisdictions). 

I had two lease expirations which got filled out quickly using Zillow. Both are 1 bedrooms with modern kitchens and baths in vintage buildings. Both were posted on Zillow and rec'd very strong interest. Both were rented to young professionals with great credit histories. This is the difference between owning rental properties in 'iffy' areas as opposed to established and desirable areas. When the stuff hits the fan the landlord can be up a creek unless the apartments are located in places where people actually want to live. The one bedrooms rented out at $1325 each. 

If you create additional 'habitable rooms' by enclosing the rear porch then you'll need them to be supported by a code compliant foundation and not just on the existing 6x6 porch posts. You'll also need to have the requisite number of receptacles, wall and floor insulation, etc. 

I used NestEgg's snow removal service and was very satisfied with their timeliness and professionalism. They send photos of the cleared walkways after they finish. Top notch.

I tried to send you our list of landscaping contractors but my reply got kicked back by BP for having phone numbers included. Here's the link to the list: 

https://domicileconsulting.com/contractor-referrals

There are multiple reasons that the installation of a new water service is more costly in Chicago than in the adjacent burbs. One is that the city no longer allows 'torpedos', or underground hydraulic rams, to be used in providing the pathway for the new copper piping. The use of those time/labor saving devices was prohibited after multiple contractors broke gas lines, sewer lines, and other underground infrastructure while installing new water services. Therefore, a 'cut' or trench must be dug down below the frost line and the new piping must be laid in that. Another big expense in the city is the need for all of the excavated soil to be taken to a dump and for new, clean fill to be used when back-filling the excavation. The reasoning makes sense when looked at from the side of the municipality, I'd love to hear from plumbing contractors with any differing views. 

I'm not sure if Brie's link provides access to the plethora of forms you need to have your tenants review and sign but if not, they can be found here: 

https://www.domu.com/landlord-resources/apartment-lease-forms

You need to give them radon, bed bug, lead-based paint, and other forms as part of the lease package. 

Why limit yourself to a certain set of areas when it's so easy to search for multi-family properties online? If you'll be living in the property you buy then your commute will be a big factor in where you decide to hang your hat, no? You might even consider a close in suburb with good access to rail or to a lesser known neighborhood like Hegewisch which has a South Shore Line train station. Expand your horizons imho. You might even find something that will work for you in a bit pricier area like Bucktown. I have a 2 flat there with a garden unit that's perfect for AirBnB. Something like that could allow you to live in a nice buildling, in a hip location, with a big chunk of your mortgage paid by tourists.