2nd City Developers Short Term Real Estate Investments Contact 2CD
Chicago residential investment

Hire a seasoned
operator.
Or invest
with one.

Find the value. Do the work. See it through.
Acquisition experience, rehab management and a clear plan for the property.

Invest With Our Team Hire Our Team
Completed rear exterior and deck at 1550 Highridge Parkway 1550 Highridge Pkwy / completed / sold 2023
20+ yearsIn residential real estate
1,000+ residential unitsAcquisition and rehab experience
behind 2nd City Developers
Chicago focusedResidential property expertise
01 / Ways to work together

Your property. Or a property-specific investment.

Start with the role you want us to play. The scope, fees and responsibilities are set out before you commit.

Explore our investment options or hire our team for your next project.

Auction capital

Disciplined underwriting for Chicago auction opportunities.

We identify residential properties with a defined acquisition thesis and exit strategy. Qualified investors receive the available property information, underwriting assumptions, identified risks and proposed transaction structure before deciding whether to participate.

Compensation, decision rights and exit provisions are established in the property specific offering documents.

Participation is limited to verified accredited investors.

Property specific Evaluation before participation
Defined period Terms established in separate written documents
Who qualifies as an accredited investor?

Under current SEC standards, an individual generally qualifies by having net worth over $1 million, excluding a primary residence, individually or with a spouse or partner; or income over $200,000 individually, or $300,000 with a spouse or partner, in each of the prior two years with a reasonable expectation of the same income in the current year.

Certain holders in good standing of Series 7, Series 65, or Series 82 licenses may also qualify. Eligibility is verified before participation. Review the SEC criteria ↗

Short Term Dispositions ↗

Joint venture

A property-level partnership, start to finish.

The capital partner funds the approved property costs. We contribute the sourcing, underwriting, construction direction, project communication and disposition work required to execute the plan.

Each property has its own written agreement defining ownership, responsibilities, project costs, decision rights and distributions.

Explore documented projects ↗
Written terms Invested capital is returned according to the property agreement before remaining net proceeds are distributed between the parties.
Acquisition & delivery

A value-add rental, delivered ready to rent.

For investors who want a value-add rental building sourced through off-market channels, acquired and renovated for them. We lead acquisition diligence, define the renovation plan, and manage the work through rent-ready delivery. Licensed contractors perform the construction. Your property manager handles leasing and ongoing operations.

Starting at$20,000Per property acquisition
20%Of the construction budget for rehab management
Property specific lending

Lend against a specific Chicago investment property.

Interested in lending on a Chicago renovation? Start a conversation with our team. Review the proposed acquisition, project budget, collateral, leverage and intended repayment strategy for a business-purpose loan secured by an identified non-owner-occupied investment property before making a decision.

Loan amount, interest rate, term, payment schedule and lender protections are established for each property.

Discuss lending opportunities ↗
First lienRecorded mortgage and lender's title policy
Direct reviewProperty specific underwriting and attorney prepared documents

This website describes the experience and capabilities of 2nd City Developers. It is not an offer to sell securities or a solicitation to purchase an investment. Opportunities, when available, are presented through separate property specific documents to eligible participants. Real estate involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past property results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Investor diligence

See how the evidence and risks are evaluated.

Review the classification of project figures, the property level risk framework and the path to focused diligence before a commitment. Explore our investor insights for practical questions to consider before choosing a property or operator.

Review the diligence process
Completed Highridge sunroom with wraparound windows and green feature wall
1550 Highridge Pkwy / completed / sold 2023
Completed Highridge kitchen and living area with green feature wall
1550 Highridge Pkwy / completed / sold 2023
Principal, 2nd City Developers

Mike Baker.

I began working in real estate in 2005 and founded 2nd City Developers in 2014. I learned the business from the ground up, handling direct-mail campaigns down to stamping envelopes while learning to find opportunities, negotiate with owners, and close off-market deals. I built my own wholesaling business and grew it into a development operation, acquiring and renovating houses and apartment buildings.

Our experience includes acquisition and rehab work across more than 1,000 residential units and building teams in Florida and Georgia. Today, our focus is Chicago. Since February 2025, 2nd City Developers has managed rehabs using licensed contractors, following years of running construction directly.

20+ years In residential real estate
1,000+ residential units Acquisition and rehab experience behind 2nd City Developers
Established 20142nd City Developers
Client perspectives

See Our Reviews

In their own words. Select a review to read more.

October 17, 2022

I have known Mike for about five years

Tom Shallcross
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I have known Mike for about five years and have had the pleasure of doing multiple deals with him. Mike is a 100% stand-up guy who true to his word and always willing lend a hand and put others in front of his own needs.

October 18, 2022

He not only solved every problem along the way

Carolina Da Valle Selva
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I could write an entire book, detailing my experience working with this stand up fella. How I came into the game knowing next to nothing, and with massive trust issues for my own good reasons. How his story and transparency inspired me, and inspired confidence. Mostly in him, eventually in me (a little bit). His desire and ability to solve problems, come what may, inspired even greater confidence in his talent, network and overall ass-kicking skill. His first blog post says something about not putting all your eggs in one basket… This is one basket you can feel confident about putting your eggs into. The three unit property he helped me purchase and rehab had every single problem you can imagine come up unexpectedly, including catching on fire. He not only solved every problem along the way, but helped ease my mind and anxious nerves as well. lLooking forward to many years of working with Mike! (BTW, if you haven’t yet read his blog posts… do yourself a favor. Who knew his writing skills were so on point?!) if he ever invites me to do a guest post, I’ll share more of the story. 😂

August 23, 2020

Really appreciate Mike's detail oriented analysis

Tongcheng Li
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Mike help me greatly to do investment analysis for my real estate investments (I am a newbie in construction and real-estate). Really appreciate Mike's detail oriented analysis on the specific numbers in each deal! Super value added! 👍👍

February 23, 2015

Mike and his crew are very professional

Chuck Falco
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Great People to do business with ! Mike and his crew are very professional to deal with and get things done as promised .... Highly recommended !!!

March 13, 2023

He is beyond knowledgeable and so helpful

Ben Sussman
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Mike is absolutely incredible! I cannot recommend A La Carte enough! He is beyond knowledgeable and so helpful. Well worth the price for what you get!

October 25, 2022

Great project manager and property locator

Michael Kevorkian
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Great project manager and property locator. If you’re looking for a smooth, hands on or hands off real estate investing experience for fix & flip or rental properties, Mike is your guy!

Short excerpts above. Full reviews open here.
Google Google Business Profile 2nd City Developers Read more reviews ↗ Better Business Bureau BBB Business Profile 2nd City Developers, LLC · View rating ↗ A+

BBB rating shown on the linked business profile. 2nd City Developers, LLC is not BBB Accredited.

A direct conversation

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Looking at an investment, planning a renovation, or weighing your options? Share a few details and we'll get back to you.

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