Joshua Mercer: Real Estate

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Joshua Mercer: Real Estate

Licensed IL Realtor helping Chicago residents build wealth through house hacking & multi-unit real estate. I was born and raised on Chicago's South Side.

Realtor | Investor | Educator
Turn your rent into income.
📍 Chicago
DM “HOUSE HACK” to get started After high school, I attended Howard University in Washington, DC where I graduated in 2003 with a Bachelors in Business Administration (Marketing). After college, I earned my Masters degree in Education (National Louis) and taught Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Chicago Public Schools for 7

years, where I was recognized nationally for my efforts. In 2012 I transitioned from teaching and opened up the Josh Mercer Insurance Agency, which still thrives today. My love for real estate started in 2007 at the height of the recession! I was surprised to see that multiunit buildings on the south side were selling for less than 800 sq. foot condos downtown! As a result, I purchased a multiunit building, moved in, and rented out the other units....in short I LIVED FOR FREE! This lite a fire in me, now for every major expense (car, child care, retirement, trips, etc), my goal is to have a property pay for it. Now 7 units later, my goal is to help clients learn from my experiences and share my vast network. Real estate has helped my wife and I achieve financial freedom and a net-worth of over $1m. For prospective buyers and investors, my goal is to walk you through the numbers and help you analyze your purchase from A-Z. For sellers, I will talk about how to get top dollar for your property! I love real estate because it affords me the opportunity to make money, build a legacy, increase my net-worth, and most important...spend time with family!

08/09/2026

🛠️ TEACH YOUR CHILD A TRADE. TEACH THEM HOW TO PROTECT THEIR WEALTH. 🏠

We spend a lot of time teaching our children how to make money—but we should also teach them how to protect and maintain what they own.

For most people, buying a home will be one of the largest and most important purchases they ever make. And for many families, a significant portion of their wealth will be tied to that property.

So why wouldn’t we teach our children how to take care of it?

🔨 How to use basic tools.
🚰 How plumbing works.
⚡ Basic electrical knowledge and safety.
🧱 How to recognize when something needs repair.
🏠 How to properly maintain a property.
💰 And most importantly—when to DIY and when to call a professional.

I’m not saying every child needs to become a plumber, electrician, carpenter, or HVAC technician.

I’m saying every child should understand the basics of the property they may one day own.

A trade is more than a job.

It’s a skill.
It’s independence.
It’s a way to earn income.
It’s a way to save money.
And when you own real estate, it can be a way to protect your wealth.

Teach them how to buy the house.

But also teach them how to protect it, maintain it, and increase its value.

That’s financial literacy too. 💯

— Joshua Mercer Real Estate

08/07/2026

🏡 A truly special home in Chicago’s historic North Beverly neighborhood.

Located at 9101 S. Hoyne Ave., this one-of-a-kind residence sits on a rare double lot and combines timeless architecture, exceptional craftsmanship, and thoughtfully designed living spaces.

✨ Soaring ceilings
🔥 Two wood-burning fireplaces
📚 Private library
🌿 Award-winning gardens
👨‍🍳 Chef’s kitchen featuring Honey Onyx quartz
🪟 Beautiful natural light and architectural details throughout
🌳 Expansive outdoor space on a double lot

From the elegant interior to the beautifully landscaped grounds, this North Beverly home offers character, space, and craftsmanship that are increasingly hard to find.

📍 9101 S. Hoyne Ave., Chicago

Presented by

08/07/2026

🚨 REAL ESTATE LESSON I LEARNED THE EXPENSIVE WAY:

STOP ZELLE-ING CONTRACTORS YOU JUST MET. 😂

Contractor: “I need $4,500 to get started.”

Me: “Do you take credit cards?”

Contractor: “Nah…but you can Zelle me.”

🚩🚩🚩

Zelle, Cash App & Venmo are convenient…but when I’m dealing with a NEW contractor, I’m more concerned about PROTECTION. 😂

Because once that money is sent:

💸 Calls stop getting answered
💸 Materials never show up
💸 “Monday” becomes three Mondays later
💸 A 5-day project enters its 3rd presidential administration 😭😂

Whenever possible, I prefer a credit card or properly documented PayPal transaction, where I may have additional dispute options if something goes wrong.

And NEVER pay 100% upfront.

My formula:

✅ Contract + detailed scope
✅ Reasonable deposit
✅ Payments tied to completed work
✅ Receipts & invoices
✅ Final payment AFTER completion

Contractors have milestones…

AND MY MONEY HAS MILESTONES TOO. 😂💰

If we’ve worked together for years and I trust you? Zelle may be fine.

But if I met you Tuesday and you want $8,000 by Zelle on Wednesday?

SIR…WE JUST MET. 😭🚩

Protect the project. Protect the paper trail. Protect your money.

— Joshua Mercer Real Estate

08/04/2026

🏙️ Luxury Living in the Heart of Kinzie Park

Welcome to one of Chicago’s most exclusive gated communities. This exceptional 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath, four-level townhome offers nearly 3,500 square feet of sophisticated living in the highly sought-after Kinzie Park community. Priced at $1,450,000, the home blends elegance, privacy, and convenience in one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods.

From the spacious open-concept living areas to the generous bedroom sizes, every level has been thoughtfully designed for both everyday living and entertaining. Enjoy a beautifully appointed kitchen, a stylish wet bar with beverage refrigerator, and multiple outdoor spaces perfect for relaxing or hosting guests.

Living in Kinzie Park means more than owning a home—it’s embracing a lifestyle. Residents enjoy 24-hour gated security, beautifully landscaped grounds, a private river walk, a fitness center, swimming pool, and easy access to the best dining, shopping, nightlife, and entertainment that River North and the Fulton Market District have to offer.

If you’ve been searching for a luxury home that offers space, security, and an unbeatable downtown location, this is one you won’t want to miss.

📍 481 N. Clinton Street | Kinzie Park
💰 $1,450,000

Ready for your private tour? Send me a DM or contact me today.

— Joshua Mercer
Premier Chicago Real Estate

08/04/2026

🚨 Contractors… y’all need to learn the concept of the VALUE MEAL. 😂🍔

If I order:
🍔 A cheeseburger… it’s one price.
🍟 Fries… that’s another price.
🥤 A drink… that’s another price.

But when I order all three together…

💥 It’s called a VALUE MEAL because the total price is LESS than buying everything separately.

Now explain to me why…

🚪 One door installation = $400

But…

🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪 Ten door installations = $4,000?! 🤨

Where’s the value meal?!

You’re already at the property.
Your tools are already there.
Your crew is already there.
Your truck is already there.

The whole point of giving ONE contractor multiple projects is that everybody wins.

Don’t hand me an à la carte menu like we’re ordering appetizers. 😂

The more work I give you…
The better my price should be.

That’s how long-term business relationships are built.

Landlords and investors… am I the only one who thinks contractors need to start offering value meals? 🍔🤣

I actually like “Contractors Need to Learn the Value Meal 🍔😂” as the reel title because it creates curiosity and people immediately understand the joke once they start watching.

08/02/2026

POV: Your contractor says, “Boss… I forgot my lunch.” 😂🍔

Listen… I didn’t buy him lunch because I’m soft.

I bought him lunch because I want this project DONE. 🤣

People always ask me how I get projects finished so fast. Here’s one secret:

When your contractor needs something SMALL that keeps the job moving… you handle it.

✔️ Forgot lunch? I’ll grab it.
✔️ Need a part from Home Depot? I’m on the way.
✔️ Need one more fitting? Let’s go.
✔️ Need a coffee to finish the day? Done.

The goal isn’t to prove who’s the boss.

The goal is to finish the job.

Too many investors will argue over a $15 lunch while paying a contractor hundreds of dollars a day. That math doesn’t make sense.

A fed contractor is a productive contractor. A productive contractor finishes faster. A faster project gets rented or sold sooner.

Sometimes leadership is swallowing your pride and doing the little things that keep the project moving.

Now don’t get it twisted… this isn’t a daily meal subscription. 😂 But if buying lunch today keeps the momentum going, it’s money well spent.

Protect the timeline. Support your team. Get the job done.

Would you buy lunch, or tell your contractor to figure it out? 😂👇

07/31/2026

🚨 Contractor Rule #17: If they ask you to make a Home Depot run… GO. 😂🛒

Nothing humbles you faster than sprinting through Home Depot looking for a ¾” copper coupling while your contractor is standing in a basement waiting. 🤣

But here’s the thing…

If your contractor is actively working and asks you to grab a part, don’t take it as an inconvenience. You’re part of the team.

Every minute they stop working is a minute your project gets delayed.

✅ You want the job finished.
✅ They want the job finished.
✅ The faster that part gets there, the faster everyone gets back to work.

Sometimes being a good property owner means putting your ego aside. If grabbing one fitting, valve, or connector keeps the project moving, throw on some shoes and make the run.

I’ve done it more times than I can count.

Real estate isn’t glamorous. It’s solving problems in real time.

Just make sure it’s for a legitimate reason—not because someone forgot to plan. There’s a big difference between helping keep momentum and covering for poor preparation.

At the end of the day, successful renovations are a team effort. The goal isn’t who drove to Menards… the goal is getting the project done right.

Have you ever had to make the emergency Home Depot run? 😂👇

Menards

07/30/2026

If you’ve ever heard a plumber say, “You got galvanized steel,” and then immediately take a deep breath… just know your wallet is about to start sweating.

That’s basically plumber language for:
“We’re gonna be seeing a lot of each other.”

Here’s why:

Galvanized steel pipes were commonly installed in older homes because they were strong and coated with zinc to help prevent rust. The problem is that after decades, that zinc coating wears away.

Then the pipes begin to:
• Rust from the inside out.
• Build up mineral deposits that restrict water flow.
• Lower your water pressure.
• Cause discolored (brown) water.
• Develop leaks and eventually fail.

Now compare that to copper.

Copper pipes don’t rust like galvanized steel. They’re more durable, resist corrosion much better, provide stronger water flow, and can last for decades when properly installed. That’s why many older homes are upgraded from galvanized steel to copper (or other modern plumbing materials) during major plumbing repairs.

So if your plumber walks in smiling and says,
“You’ve got galvanized steel…”

Just remember…

He’s not smiling because it’s good news.

He’s smiling because he already knows he’s going to be very busy.

If you’re buying an older home, always ask what type of plumbing it has before you close. A home inspection can save you from an expensive surprise after move-in.

Follow Joshua Mercer Real Estate for practical real estate tips that can save you thousands.

07/29/2026

Everybody talks about finding a good contractor…

But you can usually tell in the first 30 seconds if he’s locked in.

1. He brings his own speaker. 🎵
He doesn’t ask, “Y’all mind if I play some music?”
He just connects to Bluetooth and suddenly the whole block is listening to old-school R&B, gospel, or classic rock while he’s framing a wall.

2. He pulls out a cooler and lunch box. 🥪🧊
Not a snack…
A FULL day’s worth of food.
Sandwiches. Gatorade. Fruit. Chips.
You immediately realize… this man isn’t leaving until something gets finished.

3. He unloads work lights… at 8:30 in the morning. 💡😂
The sun is shining.
Birds are chirping.
And he’s already setting up enough lighting to perform surgery.
You ask why…
He says, “Just in case we’re here late.”

BONUS:
He opens his truck and somehow has every tool known to mankind…
…except the one he needs.
“Hey boss, you got a Phillips head?” 😂

That’s when you know…
Your contractor is LOCKED IN.

Tag a contractor who’s definitely done at least one of these. 😂

Address

2101 W. 95th Street
Chicago, IL

Telephone

+17734261626

Website

http://www.thechicagohousehacker.com/

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