Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Keshet - Working for Full Equality of All

With a bachelor’s degree in real estate and a juris doctor, Jeffrey Michael has worked at the real estate investment and management firm Horizon Realty Group since 2001. As COO of Horizon Realty Group, Jeffrey Michael identifies new acquisition opportunities, manages debt portfolio, and oversees the company’s construction and renovation projects. Outside his professional pursuits, he contributes to various nonprofits, such as Keshet.

Founded in 1996, Keshet aims to achieve full equality and inclusion of LGBTQ Jews in all aspects of Jewish life. The organization relies on its values of justice, pride, human dignity, partnership, community, and impact to guide its mission.

Keshet works with various Jewish organizations, including day schools, synagogues, and youth groups, to help them build communities that accept, support, and value LGBTQ Jews. In addition to protecting and advancing LGBTQ rights, Keshet organizes Shabbat retreats to encourage Jewish teens to learn about themselves and celebrate their individuality in a vibrant and welcoming community.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

HR Group’s 2555 N. Clark Apt in Chicago


After practicing as an attorney for four years representing lending institutions and property developers in financing and acquisitions, Jeffrey Michael joined Horizon Realty Group to lead its property acquisition and legal compliance departments. The COO of Horizon Realty Group, Jeffrey Michael oversees the real estate company’s property management and leasing processes.

One of the properties that Horizon Realty Group manages is 2555 N. Clark Apartments on N. Clark Street in Chicago. The complex has a mix of studio, one bedroom, and two-bedroom apartment units. Amenities in many of the apartments include large closets, vinyl floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, newly remodeled bathrooms, and modern kitchens. Availability depends on a unit’s floor plan. Community amenities include free Internet, laundry facilities, a business center, fitness center, dry cleaning, and on-site management and maintenance.

The property has nine tiers of one-bedroom units, with rents varying from $1,962 to $3,511. Rent for the studio apartments starts at $1,247 and goes up to $2,488, while that of the two-bedroom units starts at $2,926 and ends at $4,521. To inquire about one of these apartments, contact Horizon Realty Group’s office through its website at www.horizonrealtygroup.com/contactus.aspx.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Giving Israeli Youth an Education Through FIDF

Horizon Realty Group COO Jeffrey Michael has been with the company since 2001 while participating in its expansion into a $500-million company. Outside of his work with Horizon Realty Group, Jeffrey Michael is a supporter of the Friends of Israeli Defense Forces (FIDF).

Organized by a group of Holocaust Survivors, FIDF was created to provide for the well-being of Israel Defense Forces soldiers, veterans, and family members. The organization aims to give love, support, and care for Jewish service people who serve in the military worldwide. One of the ways that FIDF carries out this mission is to assist soldiers with their educational pursuits.

FIDF also supports soldiers through the Iranian American Jewish Foundation (IAJF). IAJF allows for soldiers who have not graduated from a high school program to achieve the equivalent while serving in the military. The program also goes a bit further in helping soldiers transition into civilian life by preparing them for the challenges.

For Israeli soldiers, the Matriculation Certificate Course prepares them for high school matriculation exams. These exams prepare students for higher education in Israel.

Saturday, March 7, 2020

Trends in the Senior Housing Market in 2020


Jeffrey Michael is the COO of the Horizon Realty Group, where he seeks out new acquisition opportunities and oversees management and operational processes. An experienced real estate finance professional, Jeffrey Michael has been with Horizon Realty Group since 2001. The group recently acquired its first senior living community in Chicago.

Senior living is a fast-growing segment of the real estate market, as the independent living market flounders. Investors and operators are increasingly questioning the financial sense of independent living communities that have higher operational costs than active adult facilities.

Food delivery services, such as DoorDash, are intensely disrupting the value proposition of senior living culinary support, as more seniors are starting to appreciate the convenience of ordering meals via mobile phones. In 2020, most operators of senior living centers will likely look to trim costs in their in-house dining facilities and supplement dining choices through food delivery services.

On the other hand, an oversupplied market is preventing many seniors from selling their homes. Many people are reluctant to move to a senior living community before they liquidate their current home, which is stifling demand.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Applying for an Apartment with Horizon Realty

Apartment key
Photo by Sylvie Tittel on Unsplash

The COO of Horizon Realty Group in Chicago, Jeffrey Michael is an experienced real estate investor and property manager. At Horizon Realty Group, Jeffrey Michael oversees the acquisition of new properties and the implementation of operational processes.

If you are looking to rent an apartment and are interested in one of Horizon Realty’s properties, simply get in touch with the company by calling its main office at 773-529-7200. The company has properties across Chicago. A representative will put you through to a local property manager in your preferred area.

The real estate company uses the property management platform RentCafe to cater to residents’ needs, including applying for an apartment. Create an account with RentCafe, then submit an application through it to Horizon Realty’s leasing department. Applications must be accompanied by a copy of your government ID, two recent pay stubs, and a filled landlord verification form. You should also pay the relevant application fees.

Once your application is received, the company’s leasing department will evaluate it. To be approved, tenants must have verifiable income that is at least three times an apartment’s rent. Applicants with bad credit may still be eligible for an apartment if they have a qualified guarantor or co-signer.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

The Difference Between Renovation and Restoration

Modern building design
Chicago executive Jeffrey Michael serves as the COO of Horizon Realty Group, a family-owned, multifamily property acquisition and management company. In his capacity at Horizon, Jeffrey Michael is responsible for overseeing company operations, including renovation projects.

Many of us use the terms “renovation” and “restoration” interchangeably, as both types of projects are common in historical preservation. However, although both focus on preserving historic buildings, the way in which each accomplishes this is different.

Restoration projects focus on returning a building to its original function and appearance. This makes the building safe for regular use while retaining its unique character and features. With such projects, the original structure is kept the same as much as possible. Since this usually eliminates the need for any major construction, restoration projects tend to use less resources and materials, thus making them more environmentally friendly than full remodels. A few common examples of restoration projects are repairing holes in the wall or removing old carpet.

Renovation projects, however, are more extensive than restoration projects, and involve renewing a structure by adding new components as well as fixing what already exists. With these projects, professionals work with the structure’s original look and appearance, but they change the surface materials and other details to modernize the building. For instance, renovation projects may include adding new appliances to a kitchen or replacing windows so they are more energy-efficient.