Frequently Asked Questions

Meetings

5:30PM Vendor Area Opens (Arrive by 6pm for Door Prize Drawing)
6:00PM “Hot Topics” including current market trends, legislative and Property Presentation
7:05 - 9PM Keynote Speaker

CCIA generally meets on the third Sunday of every month (except June and December).
We encourage folks to come out early and meet with our Vendor Members to learn about their products and/or services, as well as network with them and meet other investors.
At 6pm we begin our meeting with an hour for attendees to participate in the Property Presentation and learn about Hot Topic issues pertinent to real estate investors. All properties for presentation need to be submitted by the Friday afternoon prior to the meeting. Only two(2) properties per person. You must own or control the property that you are submitting. You do not need to be a CCIA member to submit property. However, you should be present at the CCIA meeting when your property is announced. After a short break, we have our Guest Keynote Speaker discussing an aspect of real estate investing for which they have expertise. (See the list of previous and future speakers on our Events page.)

Our Members

Chicago Creative Investor Association members come from all backgrounds and all walks of life. Our common bond is an interest in real estate investing. Our membership varies in their investment experience from beginners looking for their first property to full time investors, with hundreds of units. Most members are investing in residential real estate. The educational background of our members range from folks who have bought intensive training programs costing thousands of dollars to folks who have learned it all from a few books, their friends or the school of hard knocks. We also have members that come from various professions that make up, or serve the real estate industry, such as brokers, real estate agents, trades people, lenders, attorneys and accountants. Our membership base spreads into Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin, and out past Joliet, the Fox Valley and the Chain of Lakes. In these regions our members have a diverse set of legal, social and market conditions to deal with as investors. Our networking and education help them succeed.

Click on the following topics for more information:

How To Join / Member Benefits
I'm an experienced real estate investor. Why should I join?
I don't know much about real estate investing. Should I still join? Is this all going to be over my head?
Do I have to come to all the meetings?
If I have a property that may be of interest to CCIA investors, how can I let them know?
Are all of CCIA’s General Membership and Workshop meetings at the same place?
What are “Brown Bag Forums”?
I have real estate-related products and/or services to sell. Can I become a Vendor member?
I would like to volunteer and help. How do I go about doing that?
I have specialized knowledge or skills and would like to speak at one of your General Membership Meetings /Workshops. Is this possible?
How will I get notices of General Membership Meetings and workshops?
How will I be notified when my membership is up for renewal?
Why do you want my email address?
You don't have to be a paid member to receive our emails. Guests and former members are also welcome.
Here are a few helpful Networking Ideas:

How to Join / Member Benefits!

Membership Costs: Meetings cost $15 for non-members and are FREE for members.
Membership is $99 for 12 months and $149 for 24 months. You can include one (1) partner or spouse on your membership for no additional fee. Click here for a Membership Application Form.

What is CCIA all about?

Chicago Creative Investors Association (CCIA) provides Education, Motivation, and Networking opportunities for real estate investors in Chicago and the surrounding region. Formed over 23 years ago by Jane Garvey – a nationally recognized industry expert, CCIA is one of the oldest and largest (over 1200 members) groups around. Anyone who has an interest in learning about real estate investing is encouraged to attend our meetings.

CCIA charges $99 for a 12-month membership and $149 for a 24-month membership.
A membership can include up to 2 people – Main member plus a spouse or business partner.

In addition to FREE admittance to all CCIA general meetings, here are some other reasons to join CCIA:

• Quality networking. Access to experienced LOCAL professional investors. Meet and network with active real estate investors of all interests, share ideas & get connected!
• Leadership by one of the industry’s most respected and knowledgeable educators, Jane Garvey
• Education & Motivation. 12 monthly meetings that offer educational and motivational programs featuring nationally recognized experts on all aspects of residential investing.
• Learn the ins and outs of your local market from active, experienced investors.
• Short Topic Segment - Keep abreast of relevant changes in market trends in your area.
• Learn about current and proposed legislation that will affect you as a real estate investor.
• Membership in NARHRI - National Assoc. of Responsible Home Rebuilders and Investors
• Membership in National REIA
• Membership in IRPOA -- Illinois Rental Property Owners Association
• Membership in National Tenant Network -- Screening Service. 1-year free membership in NTN to all CCIA members -- A $35.00 value.
• "Ask The Accountant" help desk -- Jim Cunningham -- at meetings
• Property for Sale -- Powerpoint presentation at 6pm (first part of meetings)
• Learn of good deals coming on the market before they're made available to the general public.
• Vendor exhibits at all meetings
• Resources Handout table -- great way to advertise your properties, products and services
• Legislative updates – with occasional appearances by industry experts.
• Full day, 2-day and 3-day in-depth workshops and boot camps - Member discounts typically apply
• Easy to Navigate Website with Informative Articles, Resources, Properties for Sale, etc.

Click here for a Membership Application Form.
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Meeting Locations
The following are some of the regular locations where we hold events. Please check the Events Page to verify the location of the event you are interested in attending:

2009 Meeting Location

Lindner Conference Center - Directions

Special Events Locations

IIT/Rice Campus – Map
Holiday Inn Itasca

I'm an experienced real estate investor. Why should I join?

• Even the oldest dogs can learn the newest tricks!
• Networking in our Association is priceless. You will find folks who will be interested in buying your properties and others interested in selling properties.
• Rub shoulders – and minds - with other success-oriented people.... Remember, a mind that feeds only on itself soon is undernourished, becoming weak and incapable of creative progressive thought. Stimulation from others is excellent mind food!
• CCIA has a number of Vendors who give our members significant discounts on their products and services. For an active investor, the discounts alone will recoup the cost of a year's dues.
• Local, state, and national laws are constantly changing. CCIA will keep you up to date on all the latest changes that effect every aspect of real estate.
• Finally, CCIA will help keep you motivated! It's tough doing this all alone.
Click here for a Membership Application Form.
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I don't know much about real estate investing. Should I still join? Is this all going to be over my head?

Investors who attend CCIA meetings range in experience from eager beginners to seasoned professionals with a lifetime of experience. We focus on residential real estate investing - single family, as well as apartment. Many have years of experience. Others have not yet done their first deal. If you are still in the exploratory stage of real estate investing, joining CCIA is a great thing to do. Here are several reasons why:
• Understanding the theory of real estate investing is important. Understanding how it works in our particular market is crucial. CCIA puts you in touch with real people in our marketplace who are making this all work. That is invaluable.
• Each month, we will invite a real estate expert to talk on areas of interest to the membership. One of the central purposes of our Association is education. Take advantage of it, especially if you are just starting out.
Click here for a Membership Application Form.
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Do I have to come to all the meetings?

No, you don't HAVE to come to all the meetings… however, what better way to build your success, keep yourself updated, network and increase your knowledge than to associate with other successful entrepreneurs within the same field. We understand that life in general or scheduling conflicts can conflict with meeting time or dates. In that case, we will look forward to seeing you when you are able to make the meetings and encourage you to take full advantage of the member benefits to utilize your membership.
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If I have a property that may be of interest to CCIA investors, how can I let them know?

At our monthly meetings we offer a segment with property presentations run by Mark Madorin from The National Tenant Network. All properties for presentation need to be submitted by the Friday afternoon prior to the meeting. Only two(2) properties per person. You must own or control the property that you are submitting. You do not need to be a CCIA member to submit property. However, you should be present at the CCIA meeting when your property is announced. Property presentation begins promptly at 6pm. Submit your info by going to our website: www.ccia-info.com. In the first paragraph on the AVAILABLE page you will see a “Click Here” option. Click on that, fill in the form and submit. Easy! Note this entire listing is replaced after every meeting. We post new property throughout the month up to the week prior to the monthly meeting, so be sure to check the website frequently!

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Are all of CCIA’s General Membership and Workshop meetings at the same place?

No. Although we try to be consistent, there are times when we have to switch locations. Be sure to check our on-line Listing of Events regularly for meeting locations and maps.

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What are “Brown Bag Forums”?

The term “Brown Bag” came from the time we would tell folks to pack their own lunch and after our workshop we would all eat together and talk real estate for a while. With the busy lives we all lead now, we have dropped the bag lunch and instead usually offer coffee and pastry to be enjoyed prior to the workshops and during break. “Brown Bag Forums” are in-depth educational classes on various aspects of real estate investing. These classes are held on Saturday mornings every other month. They are educational programs offered at a low prices and are intended to bring newer investors up to speed on the industry. These classes usually have under 100 people in attendance, offering investors the opportunity to ask questions and get to know other folks in a more intimate environment.
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I have real estate-related products and/or services to sell. Can I become a Vendor member?

Yes. The Vendor membership is meant to help real estate businesses access our target market of real estate professionals. For a small monthly sum, Vendor members can rent a table at our General Membership Meetings (not available to guests or non-members).
Visit our Vendor Page for more information!
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I have specialized knowledge or skills and would like to speak at one of your General Membership Meetings or Workshops. Is this possible?

CCIA is always looking for people with legitimate expertise in our local market to inform our members on different. Keep in mind that we do not pay local members to speak to our Association. Also, while nearly every speaker has reported business from speaking to our target market, the purpose of your talk cannot be the promotion of your individual product or service. We have very limited opportunities of this king, but don’t hesitate to let us know what you do.
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How will I get notices of General Membership Meetings and workshops?

CCIA sends out one (1) postcard reminder per month to the primary member listed on a membership (the person who received the Blue membership card). If you have a partner on your membership that lives at a separate address, the only way they will get notices of meetings and special events is via e-mail.
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How will I be notified when my membership is up for renewal?

When you join CCIA you are given a Membership Card with your name and expiration date. This card should be presented to the check-in desk at each CCIA meeting. Additionally, on your postcard address label, you will notice a date. That is when your dues expire. Make sure you have renewed before your expiration date so there will be no interruption in your membership. CCIA will e-mail you an invoice, or if you do not have e-mail, we will send an invoice thru the mail. Simply mail back the invoice with payment, or bring your invoice to the next General Membership Meeting and pay your dues then. Make your checks payable to: CCIA. We also accept all major credit cards.
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Why do you want my email address?

We want to keep you informed in a way that is convenient and inexpensive for both of us.
Each month, we will send you a short email message letting you know about that month's featured speaker. Additionally, we send out notices of upcoming events and workshops, as well as legislative updates that effect our industry. No more than 4 –5 e-mails a month. It's a simple way to keep you connected and informed with cutting edge information.
E-Mail notification Sign-Up Form
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You don't have to be a paid member to receive our emails. Guests and former members are also welcome.

Note: your email address will never be given away, shared, or sold to outside groups. We will use it only to inform you about activities involving CCIA. We appreciate your confidentiality and trust and will do nothing to violate either. Possible exception: If you purchase a speakers product, or register for a speaker’s workshop, the registration list is also given to the speaker in order for them to have on-going contact with you.
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Here are a few helpful Networking Ideas:

Top-level leaders in all walks of life spend much more time requesting advice than they do in giving it.... Try this three-stage program to strengthen your creativity through asking and listening:

• Encourage others to talk. in personal conversation or in group meetings draw out people with little urges such as, "Tell me about your experience..." or "What do you think should be done about...•" "What do you think is the key point•" Encourage others to talk.

• Test your own views in the form of questions. Let other people help you smooth and polish your ideas. Use the what-do-you-think-of-this-suggestion approach. Don't be dogmatic. Don't announce a fresh idea as if it were handed down on a gold tablet. Do a little informal research first. See how your associates react to it. If you do, chances are you'll end up with a better idea.

• Concentrate on what the other person says. Listening is more than just keeping your own mouth shut. Listening means letting what's said penetrate your mind. So often people pretend to listen when they aren't listening at all. They're just waiting for the other person to pause so they can take over with the talking. Concentrate on what the other person says. Evaluate it. That's how you collect mind food.
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