Bill Bein

"Arm-Chair" Investors are those who do NOT want to live in the property they buy (a more precise term for this would be "NON-owner occupied"). The question we ask here is: Where have ‘arm-chair' investors like that been concentrating their investments?

Our work with arm-chair investors has led us to believe that SEVEN Chicago neighborhoods are particularly popular for those buying non-owner occupied, cash-flow property. For instance, Bill Bein, Chicagoland2to4Flats.info's founder, owns property in Grand Crossing (a south side neighborhood)-and he has now helped many different buyers buy in all of these areas.

• The west side neighborhoods are: Humboldt Park (census tract 23), East Garfield Park (census tracts 27), West Garfield Park (census tracts 26) and North Lawndale (census tract 29)
• The south side neighborhoods are: Woodlawn (census tract 42), South Shore (census tract 43) and Greater Grand Crossing (census tract 69).

We will look at each of them in previous and future posts. In this post we look at the sixth one: South Shore (census tract 43).

The nearby South Shore Cultural Center is part of the only lakeshore park that started life as a upper class country club.

The Encyclopedia of Chicago, compiled by the Chicago Historical Society, has an article on it:

"... A 1939 description of South Shore stating that it was "predominately middle class-upper middle class, to be sure, but not social register," offers an apt though antiquated characterization of this South Side community. ... "
See more at http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1176.html

Learn more about homes in this neighborhood at the home page of http://www.chicagoland2to4flats.info/!!!

South Shore Cultural Center

South Shore map

Where is the market headed? We don't have a crystal ball but can provide a link to what we think is the best regularly updated report on national real estate trends, the quarterly Economic and Real Estate Trends from the people who issue PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance).

Their report includes commentary on the national economy and regional housing price trends, and a ranking of risk for the 50 most populated metropolitan areas.

The current report (3rd Qtr 2009) is good news in Chicago. Chicagohas moved in their ranking back LOW in their risk assessment of our market... Click here for:

> Current Quarterly Report from PMI

You may also want to see their other resources (like a full risk-analysis chart or their monthly "Housing and Mortgage Market Review." To see all they offer, click here for their main report page:

http://www.pmi-us.com/econ/

And this is just the start of what you'll find at http://www.chicagoland2to4flats.info/!!!

A home or condo lets you own property, but 2- to 4-flats take it to the next level: building passive income and wealth. But the rules in buying multi-unit property are NOT the same as with a condo or home, as you may already have begun to learn:

Rule 4: Financing two flats to four flats is different. Are you going owner-occupied or non-owner occupied? The web site section on Financing and our lending partner (Guaranteed Rate) can help you custom fit financing to your property goals and financial situation. For certain, we think you will be interested in seeing the Matrix of Loan Programs and Rates and our Online Loan Program and Rate Calculator.

Our free seminar, Investing in 2- to 4-Flats, can help you make sense of all of this. First-time buyers have, of course, loved it -- but so have current owners who want to parlay existing property into more. Click here for the Seminar Schedule / Sign Up.

To see all the Rules of buying investment property, go to the home page of http://www.chicagoland2to4flats.info/!!!

A home or condo lets you own property, but 2- to 4-flats take it to the next level: building passive income and wealth. But the rules in buying multi-unit property are NOT the same as with a condo or home, as you may already have begun to learn:

Rule 3: Analyzing value is different. Our unique Property Analysis Worksheet under Tools / Resources can help you quickly check listings to identify those that offer the best value. All you do is type in the purchase price, tax, and rent information, and the rest of the worksheet self-populates.

To see all the Rules of buying investment property, go to the home page of t www.Chicagoland2to4Flats.info!!!

"Arm-Chair" Investors are those who do NOT want to live in the property they buy (a more precise term for this would be "NON-owner occupied"). The question we ask here is: Where have ‘arm-chair' investors like that been concentrating their investments?

Our work with arm-chair investors has led us to believe that SEVEN Chicago neighborhoods are particularly popular for those buying non-owner occupied, cash-flow property. For instance, Bill Bein, Chicagoland2to4Flats.info's founder, owns property in Grand Crossing (a south side neighborhood)-and he has now helped many different buyers buy in all of these areas.

• The west side neighborhoods are: Humboldt Park (census tract 23), East Garfield Park (census tracts 27), West Garfield Park (census tracts 26) and North Lawndale (census tract 29)
• The south side neighborhoods are: Woodlawn (census tract 42), South Shore (census tract 43) and Greater Grand Crossing (census tract 69).

We will look at each of them in previous and future posts. In this post we look at the fifth one: the northern end of Woodlawn (census tract 42).

A great nearby cultural plus is the very large Jackson Park, the Museum of Science and Industry and the University of Chicago.

The Encyclopedia of Chicago, compiled by the Chicago Historical Society, has an article on it:

"... Woodlawn Park's first residents were Dutch farmers who arrived in the 1850s. The population hovered between 500 and 1,000 until 1890. ..."
See more at http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1378.html

Learn more about homes in this neighborhood at the home page of http://www.chicagoland2to4flats.info/!!!

Jackson Park - 63rd Street Beach

Museum of Science & Industry, from Jackson Park

U of Chicago Quads

Woodlawn map