Episode 320: The Godfather of Chicago Property Management, Taft West

Taft West is the Vice President of Technical Assistance and Sustainability for the Chicago Community Loan Fund and is a renown property management instructor! Taft starts by sharing his background which includes some autopsy experience! He talks about starting in Chicago real estate, managing condominiums, and public housing in the late 1970s. Taft discusses the differences in leasing now compared to 40 years ago! He drops golden nuggets on the biggest mistakes landlords make and screen out bad tenants. Taft closes with powerful words on doing good work for your community to make a difference! Celebrate Taft: Are you one of the many owners who took one of Taft's classes? You can express your gratitude to Taft in-person on October 17th. He is being recognized by the Law Center for Better Housing for his work educating tenants and landlords about how to work together to build community. Learn more and celebrate Taft here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/lawcenterforbetterhousing/event/2024lcbhfallbenefit/ ============= 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: [email protected] Guest: Taft West & Jared Kott, Chicago Community Loan Fund & Marblestone Property Group Link: Unacknowledged (Book Recommendation) Link: SUCI Ep 284 - Jared Kott Link: SUCI Ep 94 - Stacie Young (CIC) Guest Questions 01:45 Intro to our guest, Taft West and Jared Kott! 03:33 Taft's backstory! 19:01 Taft's transition into property management. 28:00 Leasing apartments back in the 1970s! 37:23 How Taft started working with CIC! 45:03 Biggest mistake landlords make. 54:52 Building a Community! 61:30 What is your competitive advantage? 62:50 One piece of advice for new investors. 63:46 What do you do for fun? 66:22 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?  67:24 Local Network Recommendation?  68:21 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2024.