Chicago Area Real Estate Investors Association upcoming events

April General Meeting - SDIRA Secrets & Private Capital with Ed Thelen (04/13/2026)

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:45:00 GMT

General Meeting

Ed Thelen is a Chicago Southland–based SDIRA lender and co-lender partner who founded the SEC-registered 79th AVE Fund, a 506(b) private debt fund focused on responsible, relationship-driven lending. Since 2017, he has funded short-term real estate projects built on sound lending principles and collaborative partnerships.
Ed also co-hosts Southland Conduit of REI Success (S·C·O·R·S), a monthly meetup in Frankfort, IL centered on professional development and relationship-driven real estate investing. Beyond lending, he provides practical, real-world retirement education to underrepresented communities.
Outside of real estate, Ed provides in-home occupational therapy services in the Joliet area. He and his spouse enjoy time with their three adult children and eight grandchildren, and he performs as Santa during the holiday season.

Anyone who has an interest in real estate investing is invited to attend our General Meeting. Each month a different speaker will share information on topics relating to the many aspects of investing in real estate and being a landlord. Our General Meetings provide a great opportunity to network with experienced real estate investors from all over the Chicago land area. We also have an extensive real estate library for our members to use. The General Meeting is held on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Planned topics:
Section 1: SDIRA Fundamentals

What SDIRAs can and cannot do in real estate investing
Custodian-controlled vs checkbook control structures
Tax traps: UBIT and UDFI
Solo 401(k) as an alternative for active investors

Section 2: Private Money vs Hard Money

How to identify true private money lenders
Hard money pitfalls: hidden fees and aggressive requirements
Real cost comparison with specific deal examples
What makes a deal "lendable" from a lender's perspective

Section 3: Capital Structure & Scaling

Debt vs equity: showing the actual math
Co-lending relationships and how they work
Transitioning from single deals to portfolio funding

Section 4: Advanced Topics

Direct capital deployment vs fund structures
Syndication basics: 506(b) vs 506(c)
Building track record to access institutional capital

Wrap-up: Practical takeaways for both newer and experienced investors (2-3 minutes)

Want to learn more about CAREIA & Real Estate Investing? Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoAreaREIA/).

-----------------------AGENDA------------------------

Structured Networking (A) at 6:45 - 7 p.m.

Registration opens at 6:45 - 7:30 p.m.

Doors open & Refreshments at 7:00 p.m.

Meeting Updates and Introductions at 7:00 - 7:05 p.m.

Wants & Needs Segment at 7:05 - 7:10 p.m.

Vendor Spotlight at 7:10 - 7:20 p.m.

Speaker Presentation and Q&A at 7:20 - 8:05p.m.

Closing Announcements at 8:05 - 8:10 p.m.

Comment Card, Break, Networking 8:10-8:30

Mentoring / Accountability Small Groups at 8:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Event Ends at 9 p.m.

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Cost: Admission is $15.00 for non-members. Free for members. No children under 15-years old allowed at this event. Cash, Check or Credit Cards accepted. You can always become a member of CAREIA for just $99.00 a yr.

New memberships can be accepted at this General Meeting. Cash, Check or Credit Cards accepted.

FYI: We're a Not For Profit. We Educate You; We Don't Sell You.

**Attention Vendors: No Product Literature or Business Cards are allowed at our General Meetings or Networking Nights.

***************Disclaimer***************

If you would like to reach our members in more ways than just networking and attending CAREIA sanctioned events, we have a great Vendor Membership program for you. Not only do you get to attend all of our meetings for free, but we will maximize your companies exposure by advertising extensively to our already large and growing membership base, show case you and your business at our general meetings, and, allow your company to sponsor workshops that can help our member's see what kind of value you bring to the table while building credibility for yourself. Please contact our Vendor Chairperson at our General Meeting or via E-mail for more information: vendors@careia.org

April Short Term Rental Group Meeting (04/20/2026)

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Whether you own 200 units or have no real estate experience, anyone who has an interest in investing in short or mid-term rentals are invited to attend our monthly STR subgroup meeting. Each month we will have an open forum to discuss all things short term rentals. This meeting will provide a great opportunity to network with experienced real estate investors from all over the Chicago land area. This event will be held on the 3rd Monday of each month.

Want to learn more about CAREIA & Real Estate Investing? Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoAreaREIA/).

***************Disclaimer***************

April Real Estate Networking Night (04/27/2026)

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:30:00 GMT

A Member's & Non-Member's Event

Whether you own 200 units or have no real estate experience, anyone who has an interest in real estate investing is invited to attend our General Meeting. Each month a different speaker will share information on topics relating to the many aspects of investing in real estate and being a landlord. Our General Meetings provide a great opportunity to network with experienced real estate investors from all over the Chicago land area. We also have an extensive real estate library for our members to use. The General Meeting is held on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Want to learn more about CAREIA & Real Estate Investing? Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoAreaREIA/).

***************Disclaimer***************

May Cashflow Game Night! (05/06/2026)

Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

MEMBERS ONLY EVENT!

WHEN: Every 1st Wednesday of the

month from 7-9pm

WHERE: McDonalds

1 Yorktown Shopping Center

Lombard, IL 60148

May General Meeting: TBD (05/11/2026)

Mon, 11 May 2026 23:45:00 GMT

General Meeting

Want to learn more about CAREIA & Real Estate Investing? Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoAreaREIA/).

-----------------------AGENDA------------------------

Structured Networking (A) at 6:45 - 7 p.m.

Registration opens at 6:45 - 7:30 p.m.

Doors open & Refreshments at 7:00 p.m.

Meeting Updates and Introductions at 7:00 - 7:05 p.m.

Wants & Needs Segment at 7:05 - 7:10 p.m.

Vendor Spotlight at 7:10 - 7:20 p.m.

Speaker Presentation and Q&A at 7:20 - 8:05p.m.

Closing Announcements at 8:05 - 8:10 p.m.

Comment Card, Break, Networking 8:10-8:30

Mentoring / Accountability Small Groups at 8:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Event Ends at 9 p.m.

-----------------------------------------------------

New memberships can be accepted at this General Meeting. Cash, Check or Credit Cards accepted.

FYI: We're a Not For Profit. We Educate You; We Don't Sell You.

**Attention Vendors: No Product Literature or Business Cards are allowed at our General Meetings or Networking Nights.

***************Disclaimer***************

May Short Term Rental Group Meeting (05/18/2026)

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Want to learn more about CAREIA & Real Estate Investing? Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoAreaREIA/).

***************Disclaimer***************

May Real Estate Networking Night (05/25/2026)

Mon, 25 May 2026 23:30:00 GMT

A Member's & Non-Member's Event

Want to learn more about CAREIA & Real Estate Investing? Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoAreaREIA/).

***************Disclaimer***************

June Cashflow Game Night! (06/03/2026)

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

MEMBERS ONLY EVENT!

WHEN: Every 1st Wednesday of the

month from 7-9pm

WHERE: McDonalds

1 Yorktown Shopping Center

Lombard, IL 60148

June General Meeting (06/08/2026)

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 23:45:00 GMT

Want to learn more about CAREIA & Real Estate Investing? Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoAreaREIA/).

-----------------------AGENDA------------------------

Structured Networking (A) at 6:45 - 7 p.m.

Registration opens at 6:45 - 7:30 p.m.

Doors open & Refreshments at 7:00 p.m.

Meeting Updates and Introductions at 7:00 - 7:05 p.m.

Wants & Needs Segment at 7:05 - 7:10 p.m.

Vendor Spotlight at 7:10 - 7:20 p.m.

Speaker Presentation and Q&A at 7:20 - 8:05p.m.

Closing Announcements at 8:05 - 8:10 p.m.

Comment Card, Break, Networking 8:10-8:30

Mentoring / Accountability Small Groups at 8:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Event Ends at 9 p.m.

-----------------------------------------------------

New memberships can be accepted at this General Meeting. Cash, Check or Credit Cards accepted.

FYI: We're a Not For Profit. We Educate You; We Don't Sell You.

**Attention Vendors: No Product Literature or Business Cards are allowed at our General Meetings or Networking Nights.

***************Disclaimer***************

June Short Term Rental Group Meeting (06/15/2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Want to learn more about CAREIA & Real Estate Investing? Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoAreaREIA/).

***************Disclaimer***************

June Real Estate Networking Night (06/22/2026)

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:30:00 GMT

A Member's & Non-Member's Event

Want to learn more about CAREIA & Real Estate Investing? Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoAreaREIA/).

***************Disclaimer***************

July Cashflow Game Night! (07/01/2026)

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

MEMBERS ONLY EVENT!

WHEN: Every 1st Wednesday of the

month from 7-9pm

WHERE: McDonalds

1 Yorktown Shopping Center

Lombard, IL 60148

July General Meeting (07/06/2026)

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 23:45:00 GMT

Want to learn more about CAREIA & Real Estate Investing? Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoAreaREIA/).

-----------------------AGENDA------------------------

Structured Networking (A) at 6:45 - 7 p.m.

Registration opens at 6:45 - 7:30 p.m.

Doors open & Refreshments at 7:00 p.m.

Meeting Updates and Introductions at 7:00 - 7:05 p.m.

Wants & Needs Segment at 7:05 - 7:10 p.m.

Vendor Spotlight at 7:10 - 7:20 p.m.

Speaker Presentation and Q&A at 7:20 - 8:05p.m.

Closing Announcements at 8:05 - 8:10 p.m.

Comment Card, Break, Networking 8:10-8:30

Mentoring / Accountability Small Groups at 8:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Event Ends at 9 p.m.

-----------------------------------------------------

New memberships can be accepted at this General Meeting. Cash, Check or Credit Cards accepted.

FYI: We're a Not For Profit. We Educate You; We Don't Sell You.

**Attention Vendors: No Product Literature or Business Cards are allowed at our General Meetings or Networking Nights.

***************Disclaimer***************

July Short Term Rental Group Meeting (07/20/2026)

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Want to learn more about CAREIA & Real Estate Investing? Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoAreaREIA/).

***************Disclaimer***************

July Real Estate Networking Night (07/27/2026)

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 23:30:00 GMT

A Member's & Non-Member's Event

Want to learn more about CAREIA & Real Estate Investing? Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoAreaREIA/).

***************Disclaimer***************