• Episode 356: The No BS Guide to Thriving in Chicago Real Estate, Even in Tough Markets… with Frank Montro
    Feb 20 2025

    Frank Montro, the King of Chicagoland, returns to share how he and his real estate team have remained top producers during recent years of high interest rates and prices.

    Frank explains how he coaches buyers to understand monthly payments as opposed to being scared off by rates and pricing. He discusses the keys to getting off the ground as a new broker and/or investor including tips on networking and cold calling. Frank gives brutally honest advice on the work ethic required to succeed and warns “order-taking” agents of the challenges they will face in this market. In this show, Frank empowers you to “put your nose to the grindstone” to stay ahead of your competition!

    If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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    Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

    Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

    Guest: Frank Montro, Frank Montro Homes

    Link: SUCI Ep 64 - Frank Montro

    Link: Exactly What To Say (Book Recommendation)

    Link: Martin Lorenzen (Lender Referral)

    Guest Questions

    02:45 Housing Provider Tip - Notify your insurance broker of slip and fall incidents to ensure you’re covered!

    04:49 Intro to our guest, Frank Montro!

    17:24 Surviving as a new broker in today’s market.

    23:54 Keys to lead generation and deal flow!

    40:16 Committing to real estate while having work-life balance.

    64:36 What is your competitive advantage?

    64:55 One piece of advice for new investors.

    65:24 What do you do for fun?

    66:08 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

    66:42 Local Network Recommendation?

    67:20 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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    Production House: Flint Stone Media

    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2025.

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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Episode 355: How To Optimize Tax Deductions as a Househacker
    Feb 18 2025

    What Can I Write Off as a Chicago Househacker?

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    Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

    Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

    Guest: Michael Procaccio, Pro Financial Services Group Inc.

    Link: Build Your Team | Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast

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    Production House: Flint Stone Media

    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2025.

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    18 mins
  • Episode 354: 2025 Chicago Market Predictions with Jake Fugman and Mike Scanlon
    Feb 13 2025

    Jake Fugman and Mike Scanlon of The Axon Group return to discuss Chicago’s REI market performance, predictions, and exciting developments!

    Jake and Mike kick things off by assessing their 2024 predictions regarding mortgage rates, appreciation, and cap rates! They then break down the impacts of the Northwest Side Housing Preservation on landlords in the area and provide noteworthy predictions for 2025. These predictions include what the new presidential administration will mean for the downtown market, househacker purchasing power with 5% down, the 1901 project, the path of progress, and much more!

    If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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    Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

    Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

    Guest: Jake Fugman & Mike Scanlon, The Axon Group

    Link: The Axon Group Instagram

    Link: SUCI Ep 268 - 2024 Predictions with Jake and Mike

    Link: SUCI Ep 327 - Luke Blahnik on NW Preservation Ordinance

    Link: REI Diamonds Podcast

    Link: ADPI Podcast

    Link: Kevin Kaspers (Lender Referral)

    Link: Cost Seg Kev

    Guest Questions

    02:25 Housing Provider Tip - Consult with your attorney and insurance agent on handling slip and fall incidents.

    03:17 Intro to our guests, Jake Fugman and Mike Scanlon!

    7:59 House Hackers unlocking huge leveraged returns with 5% down!

    16:13 What did cap rates do in 2024?

    20:22 Prediction 1: The return of 100% bonus depreciation.

    24:37 Impacts of the Northwest Side Housing Preservation Ordinance.

    38:00 Will downtown Chicago make a comeback?

    49:24 Investing in 2-4 unit new construction buildings.

    54:37 The 1901 Project!

    63:04 What is your competitive advantage?

    65:33 One piece of advice for new investors.

    67:28 What do you do for fun?

    68:25 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

    70:26 Local Network Recommendation?

    71:17 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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    Production House: Flint Stone Media

    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2025.

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Episode 353: From Near Death Experience, to Disciplined Financial Freedom with Mike Bednarz
    Feb 6 2025

    Mike Bednarz, an accomplished real estate investor and HVAC business owner, joins us to share his inspiring trajectory of growing a real estate portfolio and overcoming a scary accident!

    Mike explains how he lived frugally to save a down payment and buy his first multifamily investment property in Edison Park. He discusses the discipline he used to acquire his second property and how he found a niche in mixed-use properties with leasing up local retail spaces. Mike shares a life changing incident where he fell off a ladder while working for his HVAC company that resulted in life threatening injuries. He breaks down his recovery despite doctors doubting that it was possible and bouncing back stronger than ever. This is the definition of an inspirational conversation around discipline and grit that you will not want to miss!

    If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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    Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

    Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

    Guest: Mike Bednarz, Housing Opportunity Development Corporation (HODC)

    Link: Eat That Frog (Book Recommendation)

    Link: How Not To Die

    Guest Questions

    05:09 Housing Provider Tip - Understand the Illinois Landlord Retaliation Act!

    06:51 Intro to our guest, Mike Bednarz!

    15:40 Jumping into a 6-unit after a house hack!

    21:32 Finding a niche in mixed-use buildings.

    23:36 Mike’s scary accident.

    31:58 Mike’s history of discipline.

    35:47 What’s next for Mike and the meaning of purpose!

    43:35 What is your competitive advantage?

    44:57 One piece of advice for new investors.

    45:37 What do you do for fun?

    46:20 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

    47:42 Local Network Recommendation?

    48:46 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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    Production House: Flint Stone Media

    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2025.

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    52 mins
  • Episode 352: Current Issues The NBOA is Fighting with Mike Glasser
    Feb 4 2025

    What are the current political issues Chicago investors need to be aware of and how can the NBOA help?

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    Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

    Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

    Guest: Mike Glasser, NBOA

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    Production House: Flint Stone Media

    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2025.

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    12 mins
  • Episode 351: Obstacles Affordable Housing Developers Face in Illinois with Richard Koenig
    Jan 30 2025

    Richard Koenig is HODC’s Executive Director and has led the development of over 600 units of affordable housing!

    Richard starts with how he found his “Why” and discovering that he wanted to dedicate his career to helping solve the lack of affordable housing. He gets granular on the financing and approval process on these types of developments. Richard compares market rate housing to affordable housing including cost to build and tenant screening. He shares advice on how smaller investors can help contribute to the affordable housing issue and make a positive impact in their community!

    If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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    Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

    Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

    Guest: Richard Koenig, Housing Opportunity Development Corporation (HODC)

    Link: SUCI Ep 283 - S.I. Container Builds

    Link: Homelessness is a Housing Problem (Book Recommendation)

    Guest Questions

    01:48 Housing Provider Tip - The legal way around HOA rules about lease terms!

    03:47 Intro to our guest, Richard Koenig!

    08:15 Financing and tax credits for affordable housing development.

    14:32 Guidelines for affordable housing designation.

    19:08 Dealing with affordable housing critics.

    25:31 The economics of building affordable housing.

    31:05 Tenant screening process!

    38:53 Contributing to affordable housing as a smaller investor.

    44:58 Top challenges for developers.

    48:27 Opportunities for improvements to bring more development.

    51:39 What is your competitive advantage?

    51:55 One piece of advice for new investors.

    52:18 What do you do for fun?

    52:40 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

    53:09 Local Network Recommendation?

    54:07 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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    Production House: Flint Stone Media

    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2025.

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    56 mins
  • Episode 350: Reality TV to Realty… Everything Chicago Investor Mike Tenerelli Has Accomplished
    Jan 23 2025

    Mike Tenerelli not only has a background in Reality TV, but also in construction, management, and sales which have propelled his explosive growth in real estate!

    Mike discusses his journey from flipping homes to helping others find the right property. He breaks down analyzing remote markets to find lucrative deals, growing a brokerage business, and adapting to the new NAR rules around buyer’s broker compensation. Mike shares tremendous insights on investment opportunities in prime western burbs and lessons learned from flipping gone wrong!

    If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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    Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

    Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

    Guest: Mike Tenerelli, Exit Real Estate Partners

    Link: Mike's Instagram

    Link: One Rental at a Time (YouTube Channel)

    Link: Lending One (Lender Referral)

    Guest Questions

    02:27 Housing Provider Tip - Plan accordingly when giving Section 8 tenants notice to vacate!

    04:24 Intro to our guest, Mike Tenerelli!

    09:18 Becoming a full time investor after 2 flips!

    11:42 Learning the Milwaukee market.

    20:54 Growing a brokerage business.

    24:38 Dealing with new NAR compensation rules.

    33:10 The 101 on the Western Burbs!

    38:01 Consequences of Flipping Gone Wrong!

    42:02 What is your competitive advantage?

    42:40 One piece of advice for new investors.

    43:28 What do you do for fun?

    43:46 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

    44:07 Local Network Recommendation?

    44:46 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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    Production House: Flint Stone Media

    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2025.

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    47 mins
  • Episode 349: Do I Need To Give My Tenant a 30 Day Notice?
    Jan 21 2025

    When Does a 5 Day Notice Become a 30 Day Notice?

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    If you enjoy today’s episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

    Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

    Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

    Guest: Mark Ainley, Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast

    Link: Enforcing the CARES Act 30-Day Eviction Notice Requirement

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    Production House: Flint Stone Media

    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2025.

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    8 mins