Learn
Straight answers to the questions I hear most.
Short, practical reads for Chicagoland property owners, buyers and sellers. Each one starts with a real worry and ends with what to do next.
For landlords & commercial owners
Vacancy, lease structures, concessions, tenants and land.
Why your retail space is sitting empty, and what actually fills it“My space has been vacant for months and I don't know why.”NNN, gross or modified gross: which lease structure protects you“My expenses keep going up and my rent doesn't cover them.”Tenant improvement allowances: how much to offer without overpaying“Tenants want me to pay for their build-out and I don't know what's reasonable.”Free rent or lower rent: which concession costs you less“A tenant is asking for a deal and I don't want to hurt my property's value.”Sell your land or ground lease it? How to decide“I own commercial land and don't know whether to sell it or keep it.”How to vet a retail tenant before you sign“I'm worried about signing a tenant who won't pay.”Personal guarantees, deposits and other ways to protect your lease“I want a tenant, but I need protection if they fail.”Why pricing your space too high costs more than you think“I don't want to leave money on the table by asking too little.”
For buyers & sellers
← Back to home
Timing, pricing, rates, repairs, savings and inspections.
Buying and selling at the same time: how to sequence it“I need to sell my house to buy the next one and I'm scared of being stuck.”How to know if you're overpaying: reading comps like an agent“Every house feels overpriced and I'm afraid of paying too much.”What a 1-point rate change does to your monthly payment“I'm waiting for rates to drop because the monthly payment is too high.”Pricing your home: why the first two weeks matter most“I want top dollar for my house but I don't want it to sit.”Which repairs are worth doing before you list“I don't want to spend a fortune fixing up a house I'm about to sell.”What you actually need saved to buy your first home“I don't know if I have enough money to buy yet.”Home inspections: what's a deal-breaker and what's normal“The inspection report is long and I'm panicking about whether to walk away.”