Jay Patel and Tedi Nati of JP Acquisitions join us to explain how they've leveraged mentors and discipline to build a sizable multifamily portfolio on Chicago's West Side!

Jay and Tedi explain how they networked and built their team to set themselves up for success when starting in real estate! They break down raising money and setting up a syndication to acquire their first multifamily building in Austin. The duo discuss their next 16-unit building acquisition and lessons learned on that deal. Jay and Tedi close by sharing their motivative business plan hammering home their go-getter attitude which has led to their great success!

If you enjoy today's episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

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

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Guests: Jay Patel & Tedi Nati, JP Acquisitions

Link: Jay's LinkedIn

Link: Tedi's LinkedIn

Link: Frank Jaffe (Attorney Referral)

Link: Eric Kogan (Network Referral)

Guest Questions:

01:08 Intro to our guests, Jay and Tedi!

09:20 Learning how to execute a real estate deal!

16:34 Jay and Tedi''s first syndication deal.

22:45 Software and tools for asset management.

27:07 Mistakes on an 8-unit acquisition.

33:38 The importance of an experienced team.

38:04 Acquiring a 16-unit building in Austin.

44:35 How to make money when starting a syndication?

49:58 2-Year outlook for Jay and Tedi!

56:10 What is your competitive advantage?

56:30 One piece of advice for new investors.

56:40 What do you do for fun?

56:55 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

57:32 Local Network Recommendation?

58:20 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 2026.

What do investors need to be aware of when taking on a 203k or Homestyle Renovation loan?

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Guest: Jonathan Klemm, Quality Builders

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Link: Build Your Team | Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast

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

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2026.

Joe Konopacki, Founder and CEO of Insight Property Services, is a seasoned home inspector with various professional certifications on Building Performance and Efficiency!

Joe starts with a story on acquiring a mixed-use building to establish his business and invest simultaneously! He breaks down his background of growing up in a real estate family and transitioning into the business. Joe gets granular on causes for building inefficiencies and means for improving building performance. He explains top considerations for heating system options and closes out with some wild inspection stories!

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

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

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Guest: Joe Konopacki, Insight Property Services

Link: Joe's LinkedIn

Link: Modern Wisdom (Podcast Recommendation)

Link: The E-Myth Revisited (Book Recommendation)

Guest Questions:

02:24 Housing Provider Tip - Understand the benefits of lease agreements over month-to-month agreements!

04:15 Intro to our guest, Joe Konopacki!

10:16 Advantages of mixed-use buildings.

12:02 Growing up in a real estate family and transitioning into the business.

23:03 Easiest ways to improve building efficiency.

31:12 Understanding the efficiency of boilers!

43:05 Considerations for electric heating systems.

52:03 Cost analysis of switching from boilers to central HVAC!

60:27 Incentive opportunities for solar energy systems.

67:13 Wild inspection stories!

71:37 What is your competitive advantage?

73:27 One piece of advice for new investors.

73:38 What do you do for fun?

73:54 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

74:40 Local Network Recommendation?

75:12 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 2026.

What are the upcoming elections that every investor should be aware of, and what's this dinner with Rahm Emanuel I heard about?

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Guest: Mike Glasser & Aron Borstein, NBOA PAC | An Evening with Rahm Emanuel ⭐⭐Get your tickets today!⭐⭐

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Link: Build Your Team | Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast

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

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2026.

Gil Villegas is the alderperson of Chicago's 36th ward and has focused on generating opportunities for economic and business development to best serve the constituents of his ward!

Alderman Villegas starts by discussing how zoning changes can be utilized to create win-win situations for investors and members of a community or ward! He talks about how he and his fellow members of City Counsel were able to influence the city's approved budget with the needs of their constituents at the forefront. Alderman Villegas breaks down why he chose to withdraw his Ward from the Northwest Housing Ordinance. He closes with an extremely bullish outlook on Chicago leaving us motivated to continue doubling down on our great city!

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

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

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Guest: Alderman Gil Villegas, City of Chicago's 36th Ward

Link: Alderman Villegas' Facebook

Link: Alderman Villegas' Instagram

Link: The 48 Laws of Power (Book Recommendation)

Link: NBOA Chicago (Network Recommendation)

Guest Questions:

03:31 Housing Provider Tip - Understand lease renewal notices to remain compliant!

05:28 Intro to our guest, Alderman Villegas!

07:19 Zoning changes to create affordable housing.

18:48 City council's involvement with the city's approved budget.

25:45 How Aldermen work together to make positive impacts!

35:05 Drawbacks of the Northwest Housing Ordinance.

43:34 How Aldermen utilize facts and community input to make decisions.

45:39 Exciting developments in the 36th ward!

48:28 Alderman Villegas' outlook on Chicago.

51:41 What is your competitive advantage?

52:11 One piece of advice for new investors.

54:26 What do you do for fun?

55:46 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

56:08 Local Network Recommendation?

56:31 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 2026.

What are the common mistakes made when handling lease renewals?

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Guest: Mark Ainley, Straight Up Chicago Investor and GC Realty

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Link: Build Your Team | Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast

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

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2026.

Zack Limbaugh of the Limbaugh Law Firm returns to dive deep on code violations including top pitfalls to avoid!

Zack starts by explaining the 101 on buying properties with building code violations! He discusses top lending considerations when attempting to finance a property with violations. Zack dives deep on common code violations, how owners get notified, and how to mitigate your risk! Throughout the show, Zack provides insights on handling various code violation scenarios to give you an edge against the competition!

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

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

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Guest: Zack Limbaugh, The Limbaugh Law Firm

Link: Zack's LinkedIn

Link: SUCI Ep 333 - Zack Limbaugh

Link: SUCI Ep 79 - Gary Davidson

Link: Essentialism (Book Recommendation)

Guest Questions:

02:35 Housing Provider Tip - Understand the true costs of not allowing pets in your rentals!

04:44 Intro to our guest, Zach Limbaugh!

10:23 Buying a property with code violations.

16:48 Lending considerations for violations exist.

23:52 Protecting yourself against fines for code violations!

31:03 Ensuring violations are found during due diligence.

43:15 Common violation tickets to watch out for!

50:35 Crazy code violation stories!

51:17 What is your competitive advantage?

51:32 One piece of advice for new investors.

51:39 What do you do for fun?

51:51 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

52:03 Local Network Recommendation?

52:18 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 2026.