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Straight Up Chicago Investor

Straight Up Chicago Investor

By: Straight Up Chicago Investor
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About this listen

 Are you a real estate investor in Chicago or someone looking to invest in the Chicagoland Market? If so, this podcast is for you! We break down the neighborhoods, different sides of the city, and surrounding suburbs so you can understand the uniqueness of investing in Chicago real estate. The hosts and guests are Chicago investors and Property Managers who are making it happen in and around the Windy City. We share information, winning strategies, obstacles, success stories, and most importantly, lessons learned. If you are looking for ground level information and want to learn what has worked and not worked in Chicago, you are in the right place.Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2021. Career Success Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Episode 383: From Chemist to Chicago’s “Bow Tie” Attorney w/Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib

    Episode 383: From Chemist to Chicago’s “Bow Tie” Attorney w/Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib
    Jun 26 2025
    Properties for Sale on the North Side? We want to buy them. Email: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com Have a vacancy? We can place your next tenant and give you back 30-40 hours of your time. Learn more: GCRealtyInc.com/tenant-placement Has Property Mgmt become an opportunity cost for you? Let us lower your risk and give you your time back to grow. Learn more: GCRealtyinc.com ============= Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib is an attorney with vast experience in real estate transactions, development, and litigation allowing him to bring huge value to his clients. Mahmoud gives his back story including time in the laboratory as a chemist and starting various businesses prior to landing into his current career as an attorney! He breaks down foreclosure defense and how he is going to bat for his clients. Mahmoud explains the roles of attorneys and Title Company personnel in a real estate transaction and how his unique fee structure allows his clients to save on fees. Throughout the show, Mahmoud conveys the importance of having a knowledgeable attorney in your corner in any real estate transaction! 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: Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib, EV Has Link: Mahmoud's Instagram Link: No More Mr. Nice Guy (Book Recommendation) Link: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (Book Recommendation) Link: Tammie Lester (Loan Officer Referral) Guest Questions 01:54 Housing Provider Tip - Understand new rules around HVAC to strategically maintain and repair systems! 03:18 Intro to our guest, Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib! 06:40 How do foreclosure defense firms work? 10:33 Jumping to a new career despite being established in another career! 24:00 Breaking down the roles of Attorneys and Title Companies. 32:27 Mahmoud’s unique attorney fee structure. 38:58 Wild attorney stories! 49:05 Mahmoud’s next 5 years! 56:05 What is your competitive advantage? 56:23 One piece of advice for new investors. 57:00 What do you do for fun? 57:32 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 58:17 Local Network Recommendation? 58:58 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you? ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2025.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Episode 382: What Investors Need to Know About Built to Rent Opportunities in Chicago

    Episode 382: What Investors Need to Know About Built to Rent Opportunities in Chicago
    Jun 24 2025

    Properties for Sale on the North Side? We want to buy them. Email: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

    Have a vacancy? We can place your next tenant and give you back 30-40 hours of your time. Learn more: GCRealtyInc.com/tenant-placement

    Has Property Mgmt become an opportunity cost for you? Let us lower your risk and give you your time back to grow. Learn more: GCRealtyinc.com

    =============

    What do I need to know to pursue built-to-rent opportunities in Chicago?

    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: Prashanth Mahakali, PMPC

    Link: Episode 21: Leveraging an Architect for Chicago Permits, Building Violations, & Nonconforming and Illegal Units, with Prashanth Mahakali

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    Production House: Flint Stone Media

    Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2025.
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    17 mins
  • Episode 381: How Chicago’s Powerhouse Lender Renovo Financial Was Built with Kevin Werner

    Episode 381: How Chicago’s Powerhouse Lender Renovo Financial Was Built with Kevin Werner
    Jun 19 2025

    Properties for Sale on the North Side? We want to buy them. Email: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

    Have a vacancy? We can place your next tenant and give you back 30-40 hours of your time. Learn more: GCRealtyInc.com/tenant-placement

    Has Property Mgmt become an opportunity cost for you? Let us lower your risk and give you your time back to grow. Learn more: GCRealtyinc.com

    =============

    Kevin Werner, CEO of Renovo Financial, has over 20 years of experience building and scaling successful lending companies!

    Kevin discusses his start in the lending business including his first company that did not survive the Great Financial Crisis. He shares lessons learned from lending through the Housing Crash and how those insights coupled with great relationships lead to the inception of Renovo Financial. Kevin gives the philosophy that has led to Renovo’s explosive growth the last decade including thriving through the uncertainty of COVID. Throughout the show, Kevin drops powerful outlooks on business, customer service, and relationships that you’ll want to remember and implement!

    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: Kevin Werner, Renovo Financial

    Link: Kevin's LinkedIn

    Link: All-In Podcast

    Link: King of Capital (Book Recommendation)

    Guest Questions

    01:51 Housing Provider Tip - Understand the power of being decisive and taking action!

    03:18 Intro to our guest, Kevin Werner!

    10:44 Getting a loan business off the ground in the 90s.

    15:28 Lending through the Housing Crash!

    34:21 The business model of lending business.

    45:27 Renovo’s explosive growth through COVID into 2025!

    60:18 Kevin’s parenting philosophy and outlook on Chicago!

    63:24 What is your competitive advantage?

    64:20 One piece of advice for new investors.

    64:53 What do you do for fun?

    66:04 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

    66:53 Local Network Recommendation?

    68:38 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
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