Real estate investment news you can use!

June 2025

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

Beginning real estate investing can feel like navigating a complex maze, but with a strategic approach, it offers a powerful path to wealth building and financial freedom. For newcomers, the initial phase is all about education and self-assessment. Before even looking at properties, it's crucial to understand your personal financial standing, including your savings, debt, and risk tolerance. Are you in a position to handle the upfront costs, such as down payments, closing costs, and potential renovation expenses? Do you have an emergency fund in place to cover unexpected repairs or periods of vacancy? An honest evaluation here sets the foundation for a sustainable venture.

Next, immerse yourself in learning the fundamentals of real estate. This isn't just about understanding market trends; it's about grasping key concepts like cash flow, cap rates, return on investment (ROI), and various financing options. Explore different investment strategies – from the popular "buy and hold" for rental income and long-term appreciation, to "house hacking" where you live in one unit of a multi-unit property and rent out the others, or even the more intensive "flipping" strategy. Each has its own set of demands and potential rewards. Resources abound, from books and online courses to local real estate investment groups like CAREIA. Where you can network with experienced investors and learn from their journeys. Understanding local market conditions is also paramount; research population growth, employment rates, rental demand, and property values in areas you're considering.

Once you have a solid grasp of the basics and a clear understanding of your financial capabilities, the next step involves assembling your "dream team." This often includes a real estate agent specializing in investment properties, a knowledgeable lender, a real estate attorney, and potentially a reliable contractor or property management company. These professionals can and should provide invaluable guidance, help you identify suitable properties, navigate legal complexities, and manage your investment efficiently. Don't rush into your first deal; due diligence is critical. Learn how to thoroughly analyze potential properties, accounting for all expenses, including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and potential vacancies. While the allure of passive income and appreciation is strong, successful real estate investing for beginners is built on careful planning, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt to market fluctuations. It's a long-term game that rewards patience and informed decision-making, setting you on a path to significant financial growth. But you must start.

So please join us here at CAREIA and start your real estate investing with us and let us help guide you.

Pete Gordon

Chicago Area Real Estate Investors Association - President

Upcoming Events

CAREIA

Board of Directors

CAREIA Monthly General Meeting

Monday, June 9, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m.
Networking starts at 6:45 p.m.
Hyatt of Lisle • 1400 Corporetum Drive, Lisle

Topic: How to Buy Real Estate with Creative Finance Without Using Your Own Money and Get Paid 3 Times in Every Single Deal

Key Note Speaker: Iva Norris

https://www.careia.org/event-6159013

Short Term Rental Sub Group Meeting

Monday, June 16, 2025 @ 7 p.m.

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

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-6173463

Real Estate Networking Night

Monday, June 23, 2025 @ 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-6173466

Cash Flow Game Night (Members Only Event)

Wednesday, July 2, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m.
McDonald's off Highland Avenue
1 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard

https://www.careia.org/event-6209918

CAREIA Monthly General Meeting

Monday, July 14, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m.
Networking starts at 6:45 p.m.
Hyatt of Lisle • 1400 Corporetum Drive, Lisle

Topic: TBD

Key Note Speaker: TBD

https://www.careia.org/event-6209921

Short Term Rental Sub Group Meeting

Monday, July 21, 2025 @ 7 p.m.

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

https://www.careia.org/event-6209923

Real Estate Networking Night

Monday, July 28, 2025 @ 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-6209924

President: Pete Gordon

Vice President: Steven Bell

Secretary: Rob Hayes

Treasurer: Vanessa Krynen

Librarian: Dwayne Denzinger

Programing: PK Kleinert

Vendor: Iva Norris

Newsletter: Belinda Moore

Publicity: Mary Ann Skweres

Membership: Danny Galvez

Tech Support: Keith Jablonowski

__________________

Our mission

To support and
promote local real estate investors
though networking, education, support, leadership on
legislative issues,
and promoting professionalism
and standards of excellence in the
real estate
investing industry.

__________________

WORDS OF WISDOM

“

“Real estate is an imperishable asset, ever-increasing in value, it is the most solid security that human ingenuity has devised. It is the basis of all security and the only indestructible security." - Russell Sage

Library Book of the Month

The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings

Steve Berges

Whether you?re a first-time real estate investor or a seasoned professional, The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings helps you map out your future, find apartment buildings at a fair price, finance purchases, and manage your properties. Now revised and expanded, this Second Edition includes tax planning advice, case studies of real acquisitions, and appendixes that add detail to the big picture. Plus, it includes a handy glossary of all the terms investors need to know, helpful sample forms that make paperwork quick and easy, and updated real estate forecasts. With this comprehensive guide at hand you?ll find profits easy to come by.

Did you Know?

We have: Books, CD's, and even Movies!

Have you ever wanted to read a book or listen to a course but didn't want
to spend the money knowing if it was what you really wanted?

Well, that's what our Library is here for. It's for you to read, listen or even watch some great things on real estate without having to dish out the bucks!

Sometimes you will find you may want to purchase the book or program after you borrow it. Great, but aren't you glad you didn't pay for all the ones that just weren't right for you?

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.