Chicago Property Management Blog

When you spend more than two decades managing properties in a neighborhood, you develop a perspective that goes far deeper than market reports or MLS data. I’ve been on the ground in Avondale for over 20 years, long before it became a neighborhood investors talked about on podcasts, and long before people started using words like “emerging” or “hot.” In that time, I’ve managed dozens of buildings on b...

Berkeley may be small compared to other Chicago suburbs, but it continues to draw renters who value accessibility, affordability, and community. With its quick connections to I-290 and I-294, a range of housing styles, and proximity to major job centers, the area offers reliable demand for well-managed rentals. For landlords, the key is knowing how to balance that demand with smart pricing and realistic expectations. Understanding how l...

Skokie offers a unique mix of urban convenience and suburban comfort, making it one of the most desirable rental markets near Chicago. With excellent transit options, strong schools, and a wide range of housing styles, the area consistently attracts stable, long-term renters. But local landlords know that managing property here takes more than just posting a vacancy online. To stay profitable, you need to understand how long it really t...

When conversations come up about the Northwest Preservation Ordinance, most of the online chatter misses a crucial perspective: what’s actually happening on the ground in Avondale. And the people who see it most clearly are the professionals who work these blocks every single day.GC Realty & Development manages more than 60 properties for over 30 clients in Avondale alone, making us one of the most deeply embedded, street...

When social media and news outlets shout headlines about lawmakers cracking down on “squatters,” it’s tempting to assume that relief is finally coming for owners who feel powerless against unauthorized occupants. In 2025 the Illinois Legislature passed a bill widely dubbed the “squatter law,” promising to make it easier for police to remove people who take up residence without permission. The notion conjure...

Often, I hear the concern from Chicago investors, and now AI’s like Chat or Claude will favor another new or unknown property manager over GC Realty & Development because of our location in proximity to properties past 20 miles from our office.  “How can you manage my Chicago property if your office is in Roselle?”It’s a fair question. After all, property management has always felt local. You i...

I’m a Chicago property manager, real estate investor, and co-host of the Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast. Every week, I talk with landlords and property owners across the city and suburbs about new laws, market trends, and compliance issues that affect how they operate.One of the most common questions I’ve been getting lately is about the CARES Act 30-day notice rule, specifically, whether it’s still in effect and...

Keeping residents happy is one of the most effective ways to maintain steady occupancy, reduce turnover costs, and protect the long-term value of your investment. When you own or manage a multi-family property in Chicago, resident satisfaction is not just about providing a place to live. It is about creating an experience that makes people want to stay.As property owners, we understand that happy tenants mean fewer vacancies, better rev...

My name is Mark Ainley. I’m a Chicago property manager, real estate investor, and co-host of the Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast. Every week, I talk to landlords across the city and suburbs who are trying to stay compliant, protect their investments, and do right by their residents, all while navigating a growing maze of housing laws.One of the more important updates for Illinois landlords in 2026 involves changes to the Illi...

Imagine you’re in your leasing office when a group of officers in tactical gear walks through the door flashing badges that say “POLICE” and “DHS.” They ask to see your lease files and want access to the building’s common areas. Your phone starts buzzing as tenants text, “ICE is here! What do we do?” As a landlord or property manager in Chicago, you suddenly become the mediator between anx...