This panel conversation with real estate professionals aims to educate and empower artists to become property owners in Chicago.

Combining tactical knowledge of the nuances of purchasing property and creative strategies for pursuing opportunities in residential, live-work, and commercial markets, the discussion will guide artists through the process of finding, funding, and purchasing property. Each of the panelists brings professional expertise based on working directly with artists in Chicago and will be able to address individual questions from the audience.

CAC welcomes you to join us at 5:30pm for social time with refreshments, with the program beginning promptly at 6:00pm.

Learning Objectives

• The pre-approval process and preparing your finances, including information for independent contractors and self-employed
• Step by step overview of key parts of home buying process
• Overview of current market conditions
• Loan products available in today’s market & calculating how much you can afford
• Proactive steps artists can take to become mortgage loan ready
• Helpful Information on how to decide what type of property to buy
• What to expect from a property search & what to look for in a building
• Financial incentive programs for first-time home buyers and/or small businesses & organizations
• Real estate negotiation tools & the contract process
  
• Understanding zoning policies & strategies for changing the zoning of a property

Panelists

Annie Coleman - Managing Broker, LivingRoom Realty

Annie developed her passion for buildings spending part of her childhood living in a Frank Lloyd Wright house on his block in Oak Park. That experience developed her admiration for the importance of how spaces function, flow, and other thoughtful design choices. She began her real estate career in 2005 after gut renovating a 6 flat, where LivingRoom’s office is, in Noble Square. This process gave her an in-depth knowledge (and a few grey hairs) about buildings from the inside out. She founded LivingRoom Realty during the the real estate market crash of 2008. In the midst of the turmoil her Step-Father gave her the sage advice ‘to go your own way and do what you love’. It’s been a real joy in Annie’s life to manage LivingRoom Realty. She loves helping clients, working with her awesome team, developing and hosting events, and steering the business to continue to grow in new and creative ways.

Prior to real estate, Annie was a project manager implementing global technology projects. She has a BM in Music Business and Bassoon performance. Annie is a musician and has a honky tonk dance band (Golden Horse Ranch Band), ceramicist, and loves spending time with her partner on their property outside of Viroqua, Wisconsin.

Ben DeBoer - Vice President of Mortgage Lending, Molitor Financial

Ben is a residential lender who focuses on providing excellent service and education to all of his clients. Helping clients get into their dream home is only a portion of his job; he strives to ensure that each individual he works with obtains a mortgage that is tailored to meet their unique needs. This begins with educating people on the entire mortgage process, as it can appear complicated and overwhelming initially. At Molitor Financial Group, Ben meets with every client in person at the beginning of the purchase process to walk through each step of their mortgage. He is available 7 days a week to answer questions, provide guidance, and update our clients with each step of the process as it unfolds.

Elizabeth Dudek - Broker, LivingRoom Realty

Before finding her true calling as a real estate professional, Elizabeth collected a skill set uniquely designed to produce a very well-rounded Realtor®. She combines experience as a computer consultant, education in interior design & an extensive background as a real estate assistant for a downtown law office. The result is a relationship-based Realtor® able to bring knowledge, experience, resources & enthusiasm to her clients. She ably assists buyers & sellers in understanding the complexities of the real estate process at every step. In addition, Elizabeth never forgets that her clients lead active lives outside of real estate & is obliging & flexible to the ever-changing needs & schedules of her clients.

Elizabeth considers herself to be a bit of a Renaissance woman who has enjoyed traveling since she was in the womb (literally). She has dabbled in many careers but her most memorable was as a singing waitress aboard a ship. She loves animals and has 2 cats and 1 dog as roommates and lives in a half duplex in West Bucktown.

Location

2130 W. Fulton Street (look for our dedicated entrance at 2132 W. Fulton Street!)

Tuition

$20 General Public | $10 CAC Artist Members | FREE for BOLT, FIELD/WORK, HATCH, and LAUNCH Residents

Register here