Articles, Guides, and Advice from The Dorazio Real Estate Team

How to Start Your 2025 Real Estate Investing Journey on the Right Foot

The real estate investment landscape is evolving rapidly, offering exciting opportunities for investors at every level. This guide outlines essential steps to narrow your focus, build a winning team, and prepare for your first (or next) property purchase. Learn how to avoid analysis paralysis, leverage key resources, and take actionable steps toward achieving your real estate goals in 2025.

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Setbacks and Perseverance: Sharing Lessons of Difficulty and Loss in Business (No, we don’t win every day!)

In the world of real estate, we often celebrate wins while shying away from sharing the challenges that come with them. This blog post dives into the tough moments of our 2024 journey, highlighting significant setbacks like a $0 revenue month and the impact of recent industry changes, reminding us that transparency and resilience are crucial in both business and life. By acknowledging these struggles, we aim to foster a supportive community for professionals facing similar hurdles and emphasize that success isn’t always a straight path.

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Navigating a Complex REO Deal: How Our Client Secured a 2-Flat Property - A Case Study

Securing a 2-flat property through a challenging REO deal, our client faced numerous obstacles, including unresponsive sellers, maintenance issues, a difficult tenant and several last-minute surprises. Despite these hurdles, a strategic approach led to a successful investment and the addition of a valuable property to their portfolio.

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From Dream to Reality: How I Helped a Veteran Client buy a 4-Flat with Zero Dollars in Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Discover how I helped an Air Force veteran buy a $965k 4-flat in Chicago with zero out-of-pocket expenses using a VA loan. This journey involved overcoming unexpected challenges and highlighted the importance of having a knowledgeable team experienced in VA loans and multifamily investments. Learn how strategic planning and thorough due diligence can unlock incredible wealth-building opportunities for veterans.

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11 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was 22 And Getting Started In Real Estate

Discover the 11 essential lessons I wish I knew when I started investing in real estate at 22. From leveraging loans and finding mentors to focusing on strengths and understanding taxes, these insights will help you avoid common mistakes and fast-track your success. Click to learn how to shape your future one property at a time!

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Sewer Scopes: A Wise Investment for Chicago homeowners and investors

Considering buying a home or investment property in Chicago? A sewer scope inspection could save you thousands of dollars down the road. This quick and painless procedure reveals hidden problems in your main sewer line, giving you valuable insight before you buy.

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Adding a Conforming Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) to a building in one of Chicago’s Non-ADU Zones

Considering adding an Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) to your Chicago property? In this post, we'll explore the process of adding an ADU to a building located in a non-ADU zone. Chicago's 2020 pilot program aimed to legalize basement, attic, or coach house units, expanding affordable housing. While challenging, it's possible with the right team—attorneys, architects, and aldermanic support. By navigating the process strategically, you can unlock the full potential of your investment.

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Renting Out Your Home While Serving Overseas: Tips and Considerations for Absentee Landlords

Renting out your home while serving overseas as a member of the military can be a practical way to generate rental income and maintain your property during extended periods away. However, managing a rental property from afar comes with its challenges and considerations. Here are some tips and considerations for military personnel who are considering renting out their homes while serving overseas.

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The Role of Home Equity in Retirement Planning for Military Personnel

Retirement planning is a crucial consideration for military personnel, and understanding the role of home equity can be integral to creating a comprehensive retirement strategy. Home equity, the value of your home minus any outstanding mortgage debt, can play a significant role in your financial future, providing a potential source of income, asset growth, and legacy planning.

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First-Time Homebuyers in the Military: What You Should Know

Becoming a first-time homebuyer is a significant milestone, and for military service members, it comes with unique opportunities and challenges. If you're a member of the armed forces considering homeownership for the first time, this blog is designed to provide you with valuable insights and essential information to help you navigate the process successfully.

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8 Home Loan Myths vs. Facts: Separating Truth from Fiction

Buying a home is a significant financial decision, and navigating the world of mortgages can be daunting. With so much information available, it's essential to distinguish between myths and facts when it comes to home loans. In this blog, we'll debunk common home loan myths and provide you with the facts you need to make informed decisions.

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Making the Most of Your Military Housing Allowance: 7 Steps to Buying Smart

For military service members, navigating the real estate market can be both exciting and challenging. One of the significant advantages you have at your disposal is the Military Housing Allowance (Housing Allowance), which can play a crucial role in your homeownership journey. In this blog, we will discuss how you can maximize your Housing Allowance and make smart decisions when buying a home.

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What Happens if Mold is Found During a Home Inspection?

Discovering mold during a home inspection can be alarming, but it's crucial to understand the implications. From identifying the type of mold to assessing its extent and potential health risks, understand the essential steps to take if mold is found. Don't panic—empower yourself with knowledge to navigate this situation effectively and safeguard your investment.

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Property Management How-To - Are You The Right Person To Manage A Rental Property?

Property management is a tough business and one I do not ever recommend getting into unless you have a good reason to. Maintenance issues, evictions, bed bugs, dog fighting rings; we have seen it all and it can break a person who is not properly prepared for it. While it is a difficult business, there are some times where I do recommend managing your own rental properties.

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