Chicago Heights may not be as trendy as other real estate markets in the area, but there are plenty of opportunities here for those who are willing to look for them. My first fix-and-flip property was in Chicago Heights, which is why I decided to build my real estate investing business here. I believe one of the best strategies for getting started in real estate investing is looking for the hidden gems that other investors have ignored, and Chicago Heights is full of them.

To successfully invest in real estate in Chicago Heights, you must understand the market. You may have to go off the beaten path to find the best deals, which will involve a lot of research and creative problem-solving. However, real estate investing in Chicago Heights can be very rewarding if you’re aware of all of your options and opportunities.

The Real Estate Market in Chicago Heights

As in most of the country, the Chicago Heights real estate market was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the market is heating up. Though home prices now are lower than they were a year ago, they’ve been trending up in recent months, so the market seems to be stabilizing over time. The inventory of available homes for sale is also increasing, so while the market currently isn’t favoring just buyers or sellers, you can expect more and more houses to come on the market as vaccination rates increase and people feel more comfortable moving around. With that said, we’ll likely see the market shift to favor buyers in the near future.

So, what does this mean for you as a real estate investor? A larger inventory of available homes means you’re more likely to find a good deal on an investment property. Prices are also still relatively low across the board, which is good for you as a buyer. However, if housing prices don’t continue to rise, you may have trouble turning a profit when it comes time to sell the property.

Real Estate Investing in Chicago Heights: Options and Opportunities

Real estate investing in Chicago Heights will require a lot of research. The real estate market is complex enough without throwing a global pandemic and unemployment crisis into the mix. In addition to watching the MLS and comparing home prices, you should be reaching out to your network of real estate professionals and asking questions about their experiences. If you’re a new investor, now is also a great time to seek out training courses and mentorship programs so you’ll have a better understanding of how to take advantage of the current real estate market.

You could also look into other, less-traditional real estate investments to get involved in while you wait for a good deal on a house to flip. For example, as COVID-19 restrictions ease up and more businesses open back up, there will be a higher demand for commercial real estate to lease. Or, you could buy an empty lot to rent for recreational purposes or sell to a developer, or even develop the land yourself. Sometimes the best real estate investment opportunities lie off the beaten path.

Before you dive into any real estate investment, though, you should make sure it is the right business decision for you. Buying commercial real estate requires a much larger up-front investment and can carry more risks than residential real estate, for example. Many inexperienced real estate investors underestimate the time, work, and money that goes into flipping houses, being a landlord, or developing raw land. Especially with the real estate market in Chicago Heights being so uncertain right now, you don’t want to bite off more than you can chew and then get stuck with a property you can’t sell.

Finding the Right Tools and Support

Real estate investing in Chicago Heights can be a lot easier with the right tools and support. Training and mentorship will give you a solid foundation to build your business, and developing a network of fellow real estate professionals can help provide you with support and guidance. You should also take advantage of technology to help you find leads and market your properties.

Becoming a HomeVestors® independently owned and operated franchise provided me with all of these resources, including the mentorship of an experienced Development Agent and a nationwide network of real estate investors to turn to for support. Joining HomeVestors® also meant gaining access to the UGVille^SM proprietary platform of innovative software tools including a streamlined listing portal,  property evaluation tools and payment center. Becoming a HomeVestors® independently owned and operated franchise helped me take my real estate investment business to the next level.

Want to learn more about how HomeVestors® can make real estate investing in Chicago Heights easier? Contact us today to unlock all the benefits of becoming a HomeVestors® independently owned and operated franchise.

Each franchise office is independently owned and operated.