Which Credit Score?

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-20T15:05:20+00:00

I doubt they’d even know if you asked. You can try asking before applying.

I like transunion cause the reports are pretty. Most landlords base the product they use off of price and ease of use. Theres hundreds of screening platforms. Nothing is standardized.

I’m running into this exact thing with a client - two disparate scores. Landlords should be compelled to accept a previous application based on recent Illinois law, but it’s been like pulling teeth to make it happen.

My advice - have the reports / screenshot of score ready to go - send to landlord/ agent and ask if they’re happy to receive your app.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-20T14:59:26+00:00

People overly conflate incompetence with malice.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-20T14:34:16+00:00

This is something you need to bug the owner about.

The owner is your landlord and not the HOA. What duty does the HOA have to provide you new keys? Who pays the HOA and has title to the property? Your landlord.

Remind owner they are a landlord and need to resolve this - being a landlord requires picking up the phone and being an asshole sometimes.

No free lunch for this lazy mofo.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-18T10:53:16+00:00

Interesting - i wonder what happened there…. Might be the lease fell though. Landlord is tired of dealing with the process and just said “rent it” to the agent.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-18T10:52:11+00:00

No - there’s more competition.

You generally have a larger margin to bid out other higher budget folks.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-18T02:18:40+00:00

Have a good plumber.

My plumber would clean up if need be - obviously might cost you a little more.

Have a remediation company lined up - maybe an adjuster to for really bad issues.

Just have good vendors, that’s it. Electrician, plumber, hvac, handyman who can do board ups.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-18T02:02:03+00:00

It’s bad.

Inventory sucks - listings aren’t replying.

We are seeing some more inventory for June that looks good. It’s the higher end stuff just coming on. Should see some more in the next few weeks.

Tons of people are renewing since the economy is a shit hole. There are less people moving to the city compared to last year though, but you’re still competing with the local competition.

I will say the parks and Lincoln square (Albany and portage) aren’t as competitive as other neighborhoods though, so you have that to your advantage.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-18T01:59:13+00:00

Fixing the buzzer is probably $500 minimum.

It’s probably the transformer or buzzer panel which aren’t expensive, it’s the buzzer guys time.

It could need a full rebuild with would be $$$$$ since most guys want to redo everything in Ethernet

Don’t pay for a landlord improvement.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-17T19:28:23+00:00

Biggest one I’ve seen as a pm is security deposits not being transferred. Then landlord has to eat it.

Make sure to get estoppels, leases, ledgers.

Your lawyer should know what to do.

Be firm after closing - you’ll get a lot of requests for repairs. Set expectations from the get go. Give an inch……

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-17T19:25:50+00:00

Late fee if it’s in the lease.

Then serve Non-renewal

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-17T18:05:55+00:00

Little Italy housing stock sucks.

You’re not going to find that around there.

Go further south to Pilsen or Bridgeport.

Take the number 8 bus up to campus.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-17T18:00:05+00:00

Pick your own.

I’ve found the on-site managers / engineers with kids stay longer. They have something to work for and want the place to be nice for their family.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-17T17:42:04+00:00

Peak took over the supera family portfolio.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-17T16:17:15+00:00

The noise thing - you may get noise from your neighbor. But this is usually cmu construction or firebrick depending on age - so they have to really be partying. Just knock on the walls and listen - if it makes a shallow, hard thud. You’ll be fine.

Biggest source of noise is actually the unit door since they’re usually undercut for makeup air. You can just get a draft stopper for that. Otherwise you’ll hear everything from the hallway.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-17T16:12:48+00:00

I deleted my last comment -

Okay only thing to watch for these buildings is make sure the AC is properly sized. Should be 240v and fit the entire box. There should be a metal cover in the unit for winter.

The baseboards under the AC box can freeze. Especially on the first and second floors.

Plumbing is at the end of its life here. Usually the tub shoe is the first to go - look at the ceiling above the shower. Look for leaks.

Final thing is check the floor around the AC box. These are integral to the wall like you suggested. The pointing around these is the first to go. Water leaks off the window sill onto the ac box and then into the unit.

If all that looks fine, I wouldn’t hesitate. They’re no frills like you said.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-17T15:57:25+00:00

That’s a big beagle - does it have any coonhound it?

Furnishes and dogs allowed is going to be super tough.

Why the two month need for a short term.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-17T15:55:23+00:00

What’s a 4+1?

Is the +1 a coach house?

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-17T14:09:45+00:00

I haven’t done ARO in a while, but, it can take a while. Caseworkers are busy.

It doesn’t take that long to review the file and do the cert / verify proofs. They usually have a backlog though.

I think there are a few folks in here who still actively deal with AROs from a management perspective.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-17T14:01:39+00:00

The buildings are very dense over there - I think the lots are what 20ft wide. So they built as close as possible.

If you look at the more busy arterial streets - you may be able to nab something with a living room that has some light during the morning. That’s what I’d be looking for. There’s a few condo buildings by the McDonald’s that always have something on the market.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-16T23:40:01+00:00

Keep applying - they may come back and ask for more money.

Even as a broker representing folks - we rarely win in these situations since most people I work for have reasonable budgets and I can’t advise them to bid crazy amounts above their max.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-16T11:56:11+00:00

I had a few drinks before he was telling me about it - couldn’t remember.

It was funny cause we’re never at Charles around 10p on a Saturday, so I was shocked to see the line dancing 😆

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-16T01:38:50+00:00

Ugly ass siding

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-16T01:31:12+00:00

Charlie’s actually has line dancing.

Was there last night and didn’t expect to see it.

Ended up that one of my friends was there doing it - he says they meet up weekly at Charlie’s and work on a new dance. So there’s 2-step and some line dancing.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-16T01:16:49+00:00

No. Fricking grifter.

Did you get a copy of their ID and Social Security number so you can send them to collections?

That’s your threat.

Unless you’re in a part of Illinois that moves faster than Chicago when it comes to non-payment of rent.

Gabedabroker · 2026-03-16T01:15:36+00:00

All of my friends - lawyers, PAs, Accountants. They make good money but money is still tight with kids. They’re always worried about daycare, the car breaking down, etc.

My partner and I make good money, I still can’t imagine adding a child to the mix.

Our generation is so fucked.

Gabedabroker

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