All Forum Posts by: Travis H.

I definitely need to follow this particular topic. Right now, I'm still in the process of getting my license. All I've got to do is pass the state licensing test and I'll be official!

One of my biggest concerns is that I don't live in a big city. In fact, the brokerage that I've been talking to the most is in the Snellville / Monroe area of Georgia (east of Atlanta). For instance, while I've heard that other places are growing like crazy, especially in Atlanta, my particular area seems eerily quiet, even though there is a major manufacturing business going up just up the road from my house.

But this is the market that I am the most familiar with simply because I've lived here for about ten years. Even then, my concern is that I don't know what I don't know.

Like @Jerome Harrod II says, I'm going to need some structure going into this so I'm not just flailing around. Or, to put it in GTD terms, what's my next action when it comes to market research?

My best guess would be to start with employment statistics. What does the job market look like? Where is it going? Then, I just go from there. 

As far as how much is enough, I would argue that there's no such thing. But that's not helpful. The English teacher side of me says to make a rubric for yourself. On one side, you have DOES NOT MEET STANDARD in which the agent just responds to questions about the market with vague generalizations and guesses. On the other side, you have EXCEEDS THE STANDARD in which the agent can explain the ins and outs of the various subdivisions, homeowners associations, availability of businesses, parking, statistics concerning home sale, etc. 

Mr. Harrod, I'll keep asking around and try to see if I can't help glean a satisfactory answer myself.

Sweet! Ive heard that sort of thing can be costly. It's good to know it was something simple. Still, $100 for a dishwasher part? Was that something you had to special order from the manufacturer?

It'll be useful to see if going with fixing the plumbing pays off.

@Brian Gibbons:

Glad you liked it. I'm trying to be a little careful on this site because my metaphors tend to lean towards the crass side at times.

Reasons are like underwear. You need to have a stockpile of them so you can rotate them out once they start to get all smelly and gross.

I don't use "financial independence" as a why. I tried it out, but I think that the phrase "financial independence" is just too impersonal to resonate with me. Besides, it sounds too business-y.

So I keep my why's simple. I pretty much treat them like I'm a kid writing a letter to Santa Clause.

I want to learn to fly airplanes.

I want to do work that I enjoy.

I want to have more control over my future.

I want to do work that gets me somewhere.

I want to meet cool people.

I want to build one of those kegerators out of the freezer like I saw on that YouTube video once.

I want to buy my mom the bed and breakfast that she said she wanted to start.

I want to be able to go to a freaking doctor's appointment at 1 pm without having to arrange for a substitute (I teach high school right now).

Sure, most of my reasons are selfish, and I'm okay with that. None of my reasons are in any specific format, and I'm okay with that, too. I don't need anyone to tell me if they're good reasons or not because the only person actually responsible for carrying them out has already approved them (me).

Hope that helps!

@Loren Thomas

It's a multi-faceted reason. For one thing, my grandfather was an electrician, and he taught me some pretty fascinating things. I always thought that what he did and what he knew was pretty cool. I ended up working on our school's electric vehicle because of his influence. 

I started to explain the rest, but it got a bit lengthy, and I was concerned about appearing like I was hijacking your thread. For now, I'll just sum it up as I'm exploring all of my options as in depth as possible. Besides, it seems to me like a pretty essential career given our reliance on technology. 

@Loren Thomas

That's precisely what I mean. Thanks! 

Do you know if these are things that can be accomplished while working a full-time job, or am I going to need to just set aside some funds to live on (or get some passive income going) before I pursue this sort of training?

@Linda Weygant

Thanks for the response! 

I actually have better pictures. I typed that post on my iPad, and just snapped that photo of him real quick instead of going to the other room to get my phone (which would have taken a bit of work as I'm still on crutches).

As it turns out, another foster has stepped up to take him off of our hands. We're disappointed, but I think it's for the best overall as we're currently a bit limited to provide for his needs, especially when it comes to exercise.

I'll take your comments into consideration should we go with another foster, though. My girlfriend says that she's done with fostering for a while, but, well, I've heard that before, so it never hurts to be armed with a little bit of knowledge.

Again, thanks!

Hi Loren. Here's one. I don't know if you've answered it yet, so if you have, just point me to the thread where the answer is. 

I want to learn how to do what you do. How long does that take and what is involved? Are there any good places to start?

Round up (or the equivalent) and regular yard maintenance is about the only thing that's going to work. 

And yeah, it's going to take a few years, especially if they're well established. 

What kind of ground cover are you planning on replacing them with?