In this episode of the Real Estate Investing School podcast, host Joe Jensen welcomes seasoned Chicago investor Mark Ainley, founding partner of GC Realty & Development and co-host of the Straight Up Chicago Investor podcast.

With over two decades of hands-on experience, Mark has renovated more than 500 properties, leased over 4,000 units, and managed more than 7,000 doors across residential, commercial, and industrial markets. He shares his accidental yet eye-opening entry into real estate via a house hack, his early struggles with tenant screening, and how those challenges led to the creation of a data-driven tenant scoring matrix used by his property management company today.

The conversation dives deep into tenant screening best practices, the nuances of fair housing regulations, and why Mark prefers to invest in A and B class neighborhoods despite the temptation of seemingly high returns in lower-tier markets. He also discusses the shifting legal landscape for landlords, the importance of time management in real estate, and his growing interest in industrial properties due to their scarcity and demand in cities like Chicago. Mark's candid insights make this a must-listen episode for both new and seasoned investors looking to scale strategically, avoid common pitfalls, and build long-term wealth through smarter property management and vertical integration.

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