All Forum Posts by: Douglas T.

I need to talk to and hire a contractor as I'm preparing to convert my condo in Chicago into a rental.  Most of the things on my list are small wear and tear items that have come up from living in the unit for 11years.  The biggest job is putting in a kitchen floor.  But, I've never talked to a contractor before.  I know next to nothing about construction and repair work.  I don't know if there is a set price or hourly rate.  I don't know what happens if they go over the estimate or time period.  I feel like there are a million questions that I don't even know to ask.  Can anyone direct me to a resource where I can get a feeling of how the meeting will go with the contractor, questions I should ask, things I should know, and things to watch out for.  I'd really appreciate any help you guys could offer.  Thanks!

 Does Cozy allow landlords to send monthly invoices like Paypal?

I'm about to leave Chicago for Florida and would like to hire a property management company to manage my condo in Uptown.  I'm having a hard time finding reviews that seem objective and was wondering if anyone has recommendations for management companies in the area.

I haven't been a member of BiggerPockets for very long.  I was wondering where on the site (if at all possible) I can find other investors in the Chicago area that I can ask for referrals to property management companies.  I'm about to hire one and haven't been able to get any referrals.  I'm just going with what I found on Angie's list so far.

I lost my 15 year career as a flight attendant for a major airline in 2011 due to illness.  I've been working really hard to regain my health and strength.  In the next couple of years, my goal is to be able to at least work a part time job in real estate in Fort Lauderdale.  I'm 44 now, and since I was a teenager I've been very passionately interested in real estate.  I own a condo in Chicago that I'm preparing to rent out.  It will be my second rental property in Chicago.  Very early next year, I'll be moving to Fort Lauderdale where I'll be buying a condo during my first year there.  So, I guess I am a bit of an investor, but I'd like to be more involved in the industry.  I really don't think I want to be an agent.  I don't think I'll like or be good at sales.  But, I want to work in the industry and around real estate professionals so I can learn as much as possible and have great real estate contacts when I need them.  I really don't care if I'm just answering phones, but honestly I don't even know what kinds of jobs exist in real estate that I might now know about.  I'd like to get as much education as possible on the industry, and don't mind taking classes to educate myself.  I just don't really know where to start.  I thought about taking a course that people wanting to be agents take just to get the education, but then was told those school are only exam prep schools... and won't necessarily give me the education I'm looking for.  I would be grateful for any advice or direction you all could give me to achieve my goal of working in real estate in some capacity.  Thank you!

I posted this in 'Contractors', but then thought I should ask here:  I notice that Angie's List is free now. I signed up and printed a list of the top contractors, property mgmt companies, and RE agents. Then, I started to wonder what the catch was with it being free now. I did a google search and found that they have recently settled a class action lawsuit for letting companies buy their way to the top of the lists. What do you all think about trusting the results found on Anglie's List?

I notice that Angie's List is free now.  I signed up and printed a list of the top contractors, property mgmt companies, and RE agents.  Then, I started to wonder what the catch was with it being free now.  I did a google search and found that they have recently settled a class action lawsuit for letting companies buy their way to the top of the lists.  What do you all think about trusting the results found on Anglie's List?

 No, this parking space was bought on it's own as an investment several years ago separate from any residential unit in the building.

 Outside of downtown, they'll rent for anywhere between about $100/mo - $350/mo.  I'm not sure what they rent for downtown.

 Depending on the neighborhood, parking in Chicago goes for anywhere between around $15K - $50K.  However, downtown Chicago parking spots can easily go for $80K or more.