Next Level Resources
Information to empower you during the next step of your financial journey.
Homeowners
How do I develop a safe basement unit?
This manual provides you with the tools to better understand the planning, costs, and risks associated with legally building out or converting your basement into a rentable unit.
Need legal help?
Cook County Legal Aid can help you resolve eviction, foreclosure, debt, and tax deed issues.
Preparing for an appraisal?
Here’s your comprehensive guide to understanding the entire process and how to take action against low valuations.
Need utility assistance?
Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA) provides utility bill and home weatherization assistance.
Homebuyers
Homebuyer counseling
Get free, personalizing counseling and coaching as you begin your homebuying journey.
Down payment grants
Neighborhood Lending Services offers up to $20,000 in down payment assistance.
How much house can I afford?
Our mortgage calculators will help you plan as you enter the market.
Renters
What are my tenant rights?
Be sure you know what’s expected of you and what you can expect in return. There are laws that spell out your rights and responsibilities.
Looking for housing?
The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) offers opportunities for rental voucher housing, resources, and the innovative “choose to own” program that helps qualifed voucher holder become homeowners.
Small Landlord
Need Property Management Training?
Our Partner Community Investment Corporation (CIC) helps current and aspiring owner-operators grow and strenthen their business.
Looking for a lease template?
Domu’s free Chicago apartment lease form will help you simplify the leasing process.
Having problems with a tenant or with your landlord?
The Center for Conflict Resolution offers impartial mediators to help find a solution that works for both parties.
Business Owners
Need a small business loan or coach?
Our partner Allies for Community Business provides capital, coaching and connections for entrepreneurs.
Starting a small business?
The City of Chicago Small Business Center offers resources and information on licenses, permitting, public way use, and other resources.
Property Management
CIC Property Management Training
CIC offers best-in-industry workshops and training to help current and aspiring owner-operators grow and strengthen their business.
Chicago Rents Tenant Connect
Connect to tenants utilizing housing subsidy programs, helping property owners receive guaranteed rent, fill vacant units, and access individualized support.
Avail Illinois Rental Application Guide
Information on what property owners should and should not include in a rental application as well as free application templates.
2024 Lease Template with Supporting Documents
Lease template including the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance summary and hazard statements for lead-based paint and radon.
Property Owners Resources
Information for property owners on tenant screenings, lease agreements, renewals, renter rights, and more.
Preservation Next Toolkit
This toolkit covers acquisition and rehab, green building, and property management for small multi-family property owners.
Home Repair
Seasonal Maintenance Checklist
Staying on top of your home’s regular maintenance can reduce the number of costly repairs you’ll have to make.
Average Lifespan of Appliances
Learn how long you can expect your major household appliances to last.
City of Chicago
Up to $10,000 in roof and porch repair grants for income-eligible homeowners.
Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Guide on conversions, code compliance, permits, and budgets for the construction of basement units.
Legal
Center for Conflict Resolution
Mediation training and services for tenants and owners to avoid eviction.
Law Center for Better Housing
Free legal and supportive services for income-eligible renters.
Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt
Hotline for evictions, defaults, lawsuits, and other legal inquiries for tenants and property owners.
Illinois Legal Aid
Legal resources for tenants and property owners covering foreclosure, evictions, and lease agreements.
Fair Housing
The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on identity factors.
Just Housing Amendment
Prohibits housing discrimination based on an individual’s covered criminal history; and requires landlords considering an individual’s covered criminal history to perform an individualized assessment of an otherwise qualified individual’s criminal conviction history prior to denying them any application for housing.
Fair Notice Ordinance
The ordinance increases the amount of notice a landlord must give to non-renew or terminate a lease, or to raise a tenant’s rent. The ordinance also extends the amount of time during which a tenant may end an eviction filing against them by paying the rent they owe and their landlord’s court filing fees.
Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance
The ordinance covers most rental properties located in Chicago except units in owner-occupied buildings with six units or less; most units in hotels, motels and rooming houses; dormitories, shelters, employee’s quarters, and non-residential rental properties; and owner-occupied co-ops.
Property Taxes
Certificate of Error
How to apply for missing property tax exemptions and submit a certificate of error.
Exemptions
Pamphlet on property tax exemption eligibility, how to apply, and details on how exemptions can impact your property tax bill.
Home Energy Savings
Chicago Bungalow Association
Free energy assessments and recommendations for energy-saving products (single-family and two-flats only).
General Resources
Sample Lease Pre-Qualification Form
See what information a typical pre-qualification asks for.
Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
The State of Illinois offers help with student loan repayment for Illinois residents who qualify based on certain eligibility requirements.
SAVI for helping with loan consolidation
The National Housing Resource Center and your local counseling agency are working with SAVI to provide student loan relief.
Mortgage Relief Scams
Learn how to avoid mortgage relief scams, review options for legal representation, and report fraud.
10 Important Homes to Ask Your Home Inspector
10 questions compiled by HUD to ensure an equitable inspection.
Working With a Lender
Investing for Beginners
SEC – investor.gov
Offers a wide range of resources and educational materials for investors. From understanding investment products to learning about the risks of investing, this website aims to empower investors with knowledge and information.
CNBC – Stock Market News
Leading source for real-time stock market news, analysis, and insights. From market updates to expert commentary, CNBC provides investors with the latest information and trends impacting the stock market.
Morningstar – Investing Classroom
Morningstar’s Investing Classroom provides educational resources and tutorials on investing topics, ranging from basic concepts to advanced strategies. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor, this resource can help enhance your investing knowledge.
Yahoo Finance Stock Screener
Stock screener tool allows users to filter stocks based on various criteria such as market cap, sector, price, and performance metrics. It’s a valuable tool for investors seeking to identify potential investment opportunities.
Investopedia Stock Market Simulator
Stock market simulators allow users to practice trading stocks without risking real money. These simulators provide a realistic trading environment, helping beginners learn how to invest and develop trading strategies.
SEC – Beginners Guide to Investing
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) provides a beginner’s guide to investing, covering essential topics such as how the stock market works, types of investments, and tips for avoiding fraud.
Investopedia – Stock Market Basics
Comprehensive guide to understanding the basics of the stock market. From terminology to fundamental concepts, this resource is ideal for beginners looking to grasp the fundamentals of investing in stocks.
Beginner-Friendly Investment Platforms
Robinhood
Commission-free trading platform known for its user-friendly interface and simplicity. It offers stock, options, cryptocurrency, and ETF trading.
Webull
Commission-free trading platform that provides advanced charting tools, real-time market data, and a wide range of investment options including stocks, options, and cryptocurrencies.
SoFi
Online brokerage platform that offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. It also provides access to financial advisors and automated investing tools.
Full-Service Investment Platforms
Charles Schwab
Full-service brokerage platform offering a wide range of investment options including stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, options, and futures. It provides research tools, educational resources, and retirement planning services.
Fidelity
Full-service brokerage platform known for its extensive research tools, educational resources, and retirement planning services. It offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and more.
Stock Market Research Tools
Finviz
Powerful stock screener that allows users to filter stocks based on various criteria such as market cap, sector, price, volume, and technical indicators. It provides customizable charts and heatmaps for visual analysis.
CNBC
Leading financial news network that provides real-time market updates, analysis, and insights on stocks, bonds, commodities, and economic trends. It offers video interviews, expert commentary, and interactive tools for investors.
Seeking Alpha
Crowd-sourced platform for stock market analysis, offering articles, research reports, and investment ideas from contributors and financial experts. It provides real-time market news, earnings call transcripts, and stock analysis tools.
Bloomberg
Global financial information and news provider offering real-time market data, analysis, and insights on stocks, bonds, commodities, and economic indicators. It includes customizable dashboards and research tools for professionals and individual investors.
MarketWatch
Financial news website that provides market data, analysis, and insights on stocks, bonds, commodities, and currencies. It offers real-time quotes, interactive charts, and customizable watchlists.
Zacks Investment Research
Provides stock research, analysis, and recommendations based on its proprietary rating system. It offers stock screeners, earnings estimates, and investment newsletters to help investors make informed decisions.
Morningstar
Leading provider of investment research, offering analysis, ratings, and insights on stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, and portfolios. It provides detailed fund and stock reports, portfolio analysis tools, and investment recommendations.
Yahoo Finance
Offers comprehensive financial data, news, and analysis for stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and more. It includes interactive charts, financial statements, analyst estimates, and stock screeners.
