Real estate investment news you can use!

January 2026

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

Setting Your 2026 Goals: A Fresh Start for CAREIA Members

The first week of a new year is the perfect time to hit reset and get intentional. As we kick off 2026, many CAREIA members are thinking about what they want this year to look like—not just for their real estate portfolios, but for their families and day-to-day lives as well.

Start by setting clear, realistic financial goals for your investing business. Instead of broad resolutions like “do more deals,” get specific with what you write. Make sure you write them down! Seeing them in print (on computer screen or paper) is invaluable!

Getting specific: maybe your goal is to add one or two solid rental properties, increase your monthly cash flow by a set amount, or complete a flip that helps rebuild or grow your capital. Clear goals make it much easier to evaluate deals and avoid chasing opportunities that do not actually move you forward.

As you set those financial goals, make sure they are tied to your why. Most CAREIA investors are not just in this for the numbers—we are building freedom. That might mean less financial stress, more time with family, or creating long-term security through passive income. Think about what you want your real estate business to support in 2026: family vacations, flexible schedules, college savings, or simply more peace of mind.

It’s also important to set some time and lifestyle goals right alongside your financial ones. Real estate can easily take over if you let it. Decide early how much you want to work in your business versus enjoy the life it’s meant to provide. Block off family time, protect your weekends when possible, and be honest about how many projects you can handle at once.

Finally, lean into the CAREIA community to help you reach those goals. Attend meetings, ask questions, build relationships, and learn from investors who have already been where you want to go. The connections you make here—contractors, lenders, partners, and mentors—can save you time, money, and a lot of headaches.

Rob Hayes
Chicago Area Real Estate Investors Association - Secretary

Upcoming Events

CAREIA

Board of Directors

Cash Flow Game Night (Members Only Event)

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.
McDonald's off Highland Avenue
1 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard

https://www.careia.org/event-6466734

CAREIA Monthly General Meeting

Monday, January 12, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.
Networking starts at 6:45 p.m.
Hyatt of Lisle • 1400 Corporetum Drive, Lisle

Topic: Rental Property Tax Myths Debunked

Key Note Speaker: Adam McCurdy and Tracy Gilliam

https://www.careia.org/event-6395197

Short Term Rental Sub Group Meeting

Monday, January 19, 2026 @ 7 p.m.

Portillo's Hot Dogs, 531 N. Randall Rd., Batavia, IL 60510

A FREE Member & Non-member Event

Anyone who has an interest in investing in short or mid-term rentals are invited to attend our monthly STR sub group meeting. Each month we will have an open forum to discuss all things short term rentals.

https://www.careia.org/event-6466735

Real Estate Networking Night

Monday, January 26, 2026 @ 6:30 p.m.

Portillo's Hot Dogs, 235 E. North Avenue, Glendale Heights, IL 60139

A FREE Member & Non-member Event

https://www.careia.org/event-6466736

Flipping in 2026 - Presented by Katie and Rob Hayes

Monday, January 31, 2026 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Lisle, IL

Members: $49; Non-Members: $79

https://www.careia.org/event-6492023

Cash Flow Game Night (Members Only Event)

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.
McDonald's off Highland Avenue
1 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard

https://www.careia.org/event-6466738

CAREIA Monthly General Meeting

Monday, February 9, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.
Networking starts at 6:45 p.m.
Hyatt of Lisle • 1400 Corporetum Drive, Lisle

Topic: Building Wealth Early: How New Investors Can Scale from Starter Properties to Commercial Units (5+) With Less Out-of-Pocket Costs

Key Note Speaker: James Morris

https://www.careia.org/event-6395210

Short Term Rental Sub Group Meeting

Monday, February 16, 2026 @ 7 p.m.

Portillo's Hot Dogs, 531 N. Randall Rd., Batavia, IL 60510

A FREE Member & Non-member Event

https://www.careia.org/event-6466745

Real Estate Networking Night

Monday, February 23, 2026 @ 6:30 p.m.

Portillo's Hot Dogs, 235 E. North Avenue, Glendale Heights, IL 60139

A FREE Member & Non-member Event

https://www.careia.org/event-6466747

President: Keith Jablonowski

Vice President: Steven Bell

Secretary: Rob Hayes

Treasurer: Vanessa Krynen

Librarian: Dwayne Denzinger

Programing: PK Kleinert

Vendor: Brian Rothas

Newsletter: Belinda Moore

Publicity: Kinzi MacIntyre

Membership: Danny Galvez

Tech Support: Pete Gordon

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Our mission

To support and
promote local real estate investors
though networking, education, support, leadership on
legislative issues,
and promoting professionalism
and standards of excellence in the
real estate
investing industry.

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WORDS OF WISDOM

"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – Vince Lombardi

Library Book of the Month

Set for Life: Dominate Life, Money, and the American Dream

Scott Trench

Scott Trench is an entrepreneur, real estate investor, and personal finance expert and former CEO of BiggerPockets. He has dedicated his career to helping people achieve financial independence through smart money management, strategic investing, and intentional lifestyle design. His best selling book, Set for Life, is a guide for those who want to take control of their financial futures. The book encourages readers to embrace a mindset focused on achieving financial independence. By sharing his own experiences, Trench offers actionable steps that can help anyone build wealth over time. His primary audience includes young professionals, but he ideas presented are straightforward, making them easily digestible for readers of all backgrounds.

An essential part of the book is the concept of living below your means. Trench argues that many people fall into a trap of lifestyle inflation, spending more as they earn more. Instead, he encourages readers to focus on smart saving strategies, like setting income goals and adhering to strict budgets. To put this into perspective, the author explains the significant power of compound interest when it comes to investing early in life.

Built around a few core concepts, from the importance of financial literacy and living below your means to the power of investment, Trench integrates personal anecdotes and practical advice that make the information relatable. For example, he discusses his own transition from a low-income job to a secure and prosperous financial life. He presents detailed budget plans that readers can adopt, as well as insightful tips on real estate investment, which he believes is a solid path towards creating lasting wealth.

Overall, Set for Life serves as a roadmap to financial independence, articulating concepts that, when applied correctly, can lead to an early retirement and a more secure lifestyle. Trench’s writing is motivational, encouraging readers to take ownership of their financial destinies while providing them the tools necessary to get there.

To check out materials:

Only members can borrow materials
Review inventory here: https://www.careia.org/LibaryList
Fill out CAREIA Library request form
Receive materials at the next General Meeting
Materials are due back in one month
Note. If materials are not returned, member is responsible for paying cost of materials for replacement.

National REIA Benefits

Members of CAREIA can register at National Real Estate Investors Association (National REIA) https://nationalreia.org. and learn about the negotiated group discounts from National vendors. Login CAREIA website https://www.careia.org and go to Account -> Members Only: National REIA for more details.