Real estate investment news you can use!

April 2026

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

The Hidden Perks of Your National REIA Membership That Could Save You Money

There is no question that attending your local CAREIA meetings delivers real value. The networking, education, and relationships you build in that room are worth the membership on their own. But what many members don't realize is that the benefits don't stop when you walk out the door. Your membership comes with a collection of additional perks designed to save you money and support you throughout your real estate journey — and most members aren't taking full advantage of them.

As a member of CAREIA, you have access to the National REIA member benefits program — but here's the catch: it isn't automatic. You must register separately. To learn more, go to CAREIA website at careia.org under Account → Members Only: National REIA. If you haven't done that yet, it's worth taking two minutes to make it happen. The savings waiting for you on the other side can add up quickly.

So what exactly is available? Let's walk through a few highlights.

If you're rehabbing properties or turning over units, the Home Depot discount alone can make a serious dent in your expenses. National REIA members receive 20% off interior and exterior paints and primers — including Behr, Kilz, and Zinsser. Purchase just two five-gallon buckets of paint, and you've already saved more than half of your annual CAREIA dues. You're buying paint anyway — why not let your membership help offset the cost? There's also a one-time 10% discount on Hampton Bay Cabinets and a 2% cash back rebate for those who meet the minimum spend threshold.

Tenant screening is another area where members can stretch their dollars further. Rent Perfect's property management software allows National REIA members to create an account for a one-time fee of just 95 cents. From there, applicants cover their own screening fees, and each background check — covering credit, criminal, and eviction history — comes bundled with access to a customizable online lease agreement, a digital move-in/move-out inspection process, and a work order system. Their customer service team is responsive and knowledgeable, and can help you navigate complex local requirements like Cook County's two-step screening process.

The list of additional benefits runs deep. Need office supplies or printing? The ODP Business Solutions Program (Office Depot) offers up to 55% off supplies and cleaning items, with significant savings on copy and print services — a practical, cost-effective option for leases, flyers, and business materials. Need signage to market a flip or fill a vacancy? BuildASign.com offers members up to 20% off banners, yard signs, and more. Looking to reach sellers or tenants at scale? CallFire offers members special pricing on voice and text broadcasts. Additional savings are also available through Constant Contact, FedEx, DealMachine, and OdorXit — a product line that eliminates odors at the source rather than masking them, at 25% off for members.

The benefits extend into other important areas of your real estate business as well. CamaPlan offers self-directed IRA solutions that can open new doors for how you invest and grow your wealth. MSI Property Insurance provides coverage options tailored to the needs of real estate investors, helping you protect what you've worked hard to build. For those looking at the bigger financial picture, 1024 Wealth offers resources to help you plan and manage your investment portfolio strategically.

This is just a snapshot of what's available. To see the full list of member benefits and get started, visit nationalreia.org and log in with your National REIA credentials. Take 15 minutes this week to explore what's there — you may be surprised at how much has been available to you all along.

Belinda Moore
Chicago Area Real Estate Investors Association - Newsletter Director

Upcoming Events

CAREIA

Board of Directors

CAREIA Monthly General Meeting

Monday, April 13, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.
Networking starts at 6:45 p.m.
Hyatt of Lisle • 1400 Corporetum Drive, Lisle

Topic: SDIRA Secrets & Private Capital

Key Note Speaker: Ed Thelen

https://www.careia.org/event-6583534

Short Term Rental Sub Group Meeting

Monday, April 20, 2026 @ 7 p.m.

Portillo's Hot Dogs, 531 N. Randall Rd., Batavia, IL 60510

A FREE Member & Non-member Event

Anyone who has an interest in investing in short or mid-term rentals are invited to attend our monthly STR sub group meeting. Each month we will have an open forum to discuss all things short term rentals.

https://www.careia.org/event-6583647

Real Estate Networking Night

Monday, April 27, 2026 @ 6:30 p.m.

Portillo's Hot Dogs, 235 E. North Avenue, Glendale Heights, IL 60139

A FREE Member & Non-member Event

https://www.careia.org/event-6583648

Cash Flow Game Night (Members Only Event)

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.
McDonald's off Highland Avenue
1 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard

https://www.careia.org/event-6640154

CAREIA Monthly General Meeting

Monday, May 11, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.
Networking starts at 6:45 p.m.
Hyatt of Lisle • 1400 Corporetum Drive, Lisle

Topic: Practical AI Use in Real Estate Investing

Key Note Speaker: Sam Gorgey

https://www.careia.org/event-6583612

Short Term Rental Sub Group Meeting

Monday, May 18, 2026 @ 7 p.m.

Portillo's Hot Dogs, 531 N. Randall Rd., Batavia, IL 60510

A FREE Member & Non-member Event

https://www.careia.org/event-6640156

Real Estate Networking Night

Monday, May 25, 2026 @ 6:30 p.m.

Portillo's Hot Dogs, 235 E. North Avenue, Glendale Heights, IL 60139

A FREE Member & Non-member Event

https://www.careia.org/event-6640158

President: Keith Jablonowski

Vice President: Steven Bell

Secretary: Rob Hayes

Treasurer: Vanessa Krynen

Librarian: Dwayne Denzinger

Programing: PK Kleinert

Vendor: Brian Rothas

Newsletter: Belinda Moore

Publicity: Kinzi MacIntyre

Membership: Danny Galvez

Tech Director: Pete Gordon

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and promoting professionalism
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WORDS OF WISDOM

“Action may not always bring happiness but there is no happiness without action” Gino Barbaro

Library Book of the Month

The Book on Flipping Houses: How to Buy, Rehab, and Resell Residential Properties

J Scott

Turn distressed properties into consistent profits without getting burned by bad deals, unreliable contractors, or market downturns.

Successful house flipping is about having the right system—one that helps you identify profitable deals, manage renovation efficiently, and sell properties quickly regardless of market conditions. When you know what to look for and how to execute properly, this "risky" real estate strategy becomes a reliable wealth-building vehicle instead of a gamble.

This highly-rated guide comes from an expert who has hands-on knowledge of flipping houses at scale. J Scott has transacted over $60 million in property nationwide—buying, building, rehabbing, selling, and lending across multiple markets and economic cycles. As the author of four BiggerPockets books with over 375,000 copies sold, J Scott gives you everything you need to build a profitable and efficient house-flipping business.

To check out materials:

Only members can borrow materials
Review inventory here: https://www.careia.org/LibaryList
Fill out CAREIA Library request form
Receive materials at the next General Meeting
Materials are due back in one month
Note. If materials are not returned, member is responsible for paying cost of materials for replacement.

National REIA Benefits

Members of CAREIA can register at National Real Estate Investors Association (National REIA) https://nationalreia.org. and learn about the negotiated group discounts from National vendors. Login CAREIA website https://www.careia.org and go to Account -> Members Only: National REIA for more details.