All Forum Posts by: Frank S.
Frank S. has started 105 posts and replied 853 times.
Post: Chicago Residential Lease 2020
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- Chicago, IL
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Thanks
Post: What type of software do architects generally use?
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- Chicago, IL
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There is no effective "free lunch" for that.
We pay about $3k a year (each year) per multi user license of AutoCad and Revit. Revit is becoming the standard. Training takes years and private training is expensive. I think community colleges teach that, too.
For smaller projects, you could use pencil and ink. A good contractor can work out of sketches.
Also, consider hiring draftsmen in UpWork. There are reasonable folks out there.
Good luck
Post: Best Chicago Neighborhoods to Buy Mulitfamily?
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Logan square is popular. North center is popular. Lincoln park is popular. Popular doesn't indicate anything financially. Do you want a good comfortable life or do you need to struggle in north Lawndale? How much cash are you bringing, 20%, 40% to generate cash flow, or are you going FHA? What's your financial goal? Find an area (yourself) and then look for a local agent. This person must know the area well, better than you, hopefully.
Be careful with the Biggerpockets house hacking Kool Aid. There is good education and tips, but a lot of greed.
Good luck
Post: Partnership on HOT North Lawndale Mixed Use Fix & Flip
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Hot? Only if it's on fire. It's a grocery and commerce dessert, mostly
Post: The Sunday afternoon repair call
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- Chicago, IL
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Originally posted by @Andy Webb:
I agree with @Frank S. - tell them how to shut the water off so they aren't just flooding the yard and running up the bill, and get a plumber out there first thing on Monday.
A happy tenant is very valuable, true.
Once I got a call of water coming through light fixtures while having dinner with friends. Fortunately, I have some sewer repair people that do minor plumbing too. So, I excused myself and spend 15 minutes on the phone. Sure, I paid $600 for the trick, but it was well worth it. It was repaired within a day.
It's hard to find honest and reliable people, but if you find them, pay them well and respect them. They may gauge your eye$ once in a while, but so it goes...
These repairs can wear you down. We are here for the long haul.
Post: Cost to add bathroom to finished area?
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- Chicago, IL
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Using LV guys, basic rental finishes, no permit = 4k to 5 k. Permit route = 10k
Post: The Sunday afternoon repair call
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- Chicago, IL
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IMO, you saved nothing. I rather spend time with my family or taking a nap. Let the rental be self-sufficient as much as you can.
Post: What the what? Should this valve be here?
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- Chicago, IL
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A bidet
Post: North / Northwest Chicago area where properties can cash flow +?
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- Chicago, IL
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You need more research. Look at recent sales and compare with rent prices.
Post: DIY interior drain tile
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- Chicago, IL
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Originally posted by @Trevor Kearns:
@Frank S. Thanks for the response. The flat part kind of confuses me. Wouldn't I want the drain tile slightly sloped down towards the sump?
It doesn't matter if it's pitched, because it has holes on the bottom. The drain tile purpose is to control the water table level. You could pitch it if you want, but not much. The entry point should be the settling basin, after that solid pipe to the ejector basin.
I hope that helps.