Real estate investment news you can use!

March 2026

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

You Don’t Have to Build Your Real Estate Portfolio Alone

If you’re new to real estate investing, you might feel like you’re supposed to have it all figured out.

You’re analyzing deals, Watching the market, Listening to podcasts. Running numbers over and over again and Somewhere in the process, you might be thinking: “Am I missing something?” “How do other investors move so confidently?” Here’s what most beginners don’t realize: The investors who look confident aren’t doing it alone.

My Biggest Early Mistake

When I started, I thought being a “serious investor” meant being independent.

I tried to: Find my own deals, Research financing by myself, Manage renovations without guidance, Solve every problem alone, What I learned — sometimes the hard way — is that real estate isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about knowing the right people.

The Team That Makes It Easier

As a new investor, you don’t need a huge team. You just need the right people around you.

1. An Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent

Not every agent understands investment strategy. The right one will: Invest in real estate themselves, and Help you evaluate rental potential, Run comparable sales, Spot undervalued properties, Negotiate with investors in mind. A good agent saves you time. A great one saves you money. Thank you! Team Hayes!! all your hard work is much appreciated!!!

2. A Lender Who Thinks Beyond One Deal

Many beginners focus only on “Can I get approved?”, A smart lender helps you think: How will this impact my next purchase? What loan structure supports long-term growth? What options do I have beyond conventional financing? Portfolio building starts with smart financing.

3. Other Investors

This might be the most important piece. Being around other investors: Normalizes the challenges, Speeds up your learning curve, Helps you avoid expensive mistakes, Builds confidence. You don’t need to partner on day one. You just need conversations. Coffee meetings. Local meetups. Online groups. Deal discussions. Start rubbing elbows! You’ll learn more from a 30-minute conversation with an active investor than from weeks of researching alone.

Here’s the Truth for New Investors

You’re not supposed to know everything. You’re supposed to: Ask questions, Learn quickly, Build relationships, Take calculated action, The fastest way to grow your real estate portfolio isn’t finding the “perfect” deal. It’s building the right circle.

If You’re Just Getting Started

Start here: 1) Reach out to one investor in your area. 2)Interview two investor-focused agents.3) Talk to a lender about long-term strategy — not just approval.4) Attend one meetup this month. Momentum builds from connection and confidence comes from community.

If you’re in the early stages right now, I want you to know this: You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to stop building alone. Your future portfolio will be shaped by the people you choose to build it with.

Pete Gordon
Chicago Area Real Estate Investors Association - Technical Director

Upcoming Events

CAREIA

Board of Directors

Cash Flow Game Night (Members Only Event)

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.
McDonald's off Highland Avenue
1 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard

https://www.careia.org/event-6497462

CAREIA Monthly General Meeting

Monday, March 9, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.
Networking starts at 6:45 p.m.
Hyatt of Lisle • 1400 Corporetum Drive, Lisle

Topic: Buy Smart: The Tax + Mortgage Blueprint to Qualify, Scale, and Keep More Cash

Key Note Speaker: Sean Sullivan

https://www.careia.org/event-6395213

Short Term Rental Sub Group Meeting

Monday, March 16, 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-6497466

Real Estate Networking Night

Monday, March 23, 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-6583609

Cash Flow Game Night (Members Only Event)

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

https://www.careia.org/event-6583610

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

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

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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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.

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WORDS OF WISDOM

"Keep your focus on your why, and the how will take care of itself" Simon Sinek

Library Book of the Month

Rich Dad's Advisors: The ABC's of Property Management: What You Need to Know to Maximize Your Money Now

Ken McElroy

So, you've made your real estate investment...and now the question is: How are you going to make it profitable? How will you maximize its potential and make it grow in value? One word: Management. Hundreds of thousands know bestselling author Ken McElroy as a real estate investment tycoon. In this book, Ken reveals the key to his success: Exceptional property management. He teaches you the most important principles and keys to achieving success where others fail.

THE ABC'S OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT tells readers:

How to decide when to manage your property and when to hire someone to do it
How to implement the right systems and structures for your investment
How to manage and maximize cash flow
What to expect: A month in the life of an owner-manager
How to find the right property manager (and avoid the wrong ones)
How to assemble a superior management team

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.