Chicago Landlord Ordered to Pay $80K After Threatening Tenants with ICE

Posted by Abby Torres on March 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM

A Chicago landlord who tried to use immigration threats as leverage against his tenants is now facing the full weight of Illinois law. In a first-of-its-kind ruling under the state’s Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, Cook County Circuit Judge Catherine A. Schneider ordered Marco Antonio Contreras and his wife, Denise Contreras, to pay more than $80,000 to their former tenants after threatening to call immigration authorities during a rent dispute in June 2020.

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Topics: Real Estate Moguls, Real Estate Moguls - Homeowners

How a South Side Geothermal Project Could Reshape the Future of Energy in Chicago

Posted by LaQuan Henley on March 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM

There’s power beneath your feet. Right now, steady heat moves quietly through the ground beneath Chicago, waiting to be used. In West Woodlawn, a South Side neighborhood rich in history and pride, that heat is being tapped to create something bigger than a new energy system. It’s becoming the foundation of a new way of living, one designed to keep resources local, lower bills, and turn everyday blocks into models for how a city can work smarter.

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Topics: Real Estate Moguls, Real Estate Moguls - Homeowners

Buy a Home With Zero Down: How the USDA Loan Opens Doors

Posted by Abby Torres on March 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM

Owning a home may seem out of reach if you’re worried about saving for a down payment, but the USDA loan program offers a surprising solution, zero down payment and no cash reserves required. This often-overlooked opportunity helps eligible buyers achieve homeownership without draining their savings.

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Topics: Real Estate Moguls, Real Estate Moguls - Homeowners

The Hidden Cost of Homeownership: What No One Tells You

Posted by Jaymi Block on February 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM

Owning a home is often sold as the ultimate financial goal, a marker of success, and a way to secure a future for yourself and your family. But the reality is far more complex. The moment you take out a mortgage, you enter a system designed to keep you working for the bank, not building wealth for yourself.

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Topics: Real Estate Moguls, Real Estate Moguls - Homeowners

Renting Over Owning: Why Your Primary Residence Might Be Costing You Wealth

Posted by VibeSociety on February 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM

The idea that owning your home is the ultimate financial goal has been drilled into your head for years. But what if that belief is holding you back from building real wealth? It may feel counterintuitive, but sometimes, renting can be the smarter financial move, especially when you factor in opportunity costs.

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Topics: Real Estate Moguls, Real Estate Moguls - Homeowners

The Growing Wealth Gap: Why Homeownership Puts Renters at a Major Disadvantage

Posted by Ania Kozera on January 20, 2025 at 5:00 AM

The gap in wealth between renters and homeowners in the United States is larger than ever, and it’s only growing. According to a recent report by the Aspen Institute, the median net worth of homeowners sits at $400,000. Compare that to renters, who hold a median net worth of just $10,400, barely 3% of what homeowners have. The disparity highlights the critical role homeownership plays in building financial stability and long-term wealth.

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Topics: Real Estate Moguls, Real Estate Moguls - Homeowners