All Forum Posts by: Jeffrey VanGilder

thanks @James McCard

Any local meet ups happening soon? And any reviews on the National Real Estate Institute in Cromwell?

Thanks Rick Santasiere and Dan Leyden for responding. Rick, I would love to schedule a meet up to sit down for a chat. Let me know your preferred way of being contacted and I'll be in touch. As you know, being a new agent can be tough and any pointers would help. Dan, thanks for the help in advance. Like I said above, I'm looking for some pointers. But, more specifically I am looking for income producing activities to focus on before being licensed and the first 30-90 days. Building database, networking avenues, marketing, prospecting and follow up strategies. These seem to be big key factors in success in agents in all experience levels. Finally I feel like I should begin looking at different brokerages. I have always worked for smaller shops compared to large corporations but still these smaller businesses always had a focus on hard work and training. So these are a couple things in the top of my list followed by splits and fees. I feel like a team environment is a prosperous environment and is what I'm trying to find..... Any other things I'm not thinking of? I'm sure there are.

Ironically last night I signed up for my real estate agents course. Then after I was done I checked my email for the confirmation letter, what do I find. My email was telling me Allison from bigger pockets just tweeted a few stories. One being 6 reasons not to get your real estate license. Hmmm. So this sort of lit a fire in me to seek out more opinions, tips and advice for someone new getting into real estate sales. I am looking to hopefully do a career change and wasn't just looking to use it for investing. So I felt the article from bigger pockets was more geared towards investors thinking about getting a real estate license to help them invest, I would be getting into real estate sales because I actually want a career change. It could be a bridge job between my current one and what I plan for farther down the road. Or I may like it more than I think I do and never quit, who knows. But I know education on any topic is one of the best way to master something. So any agent that was part time and went full time I would especially like to hear from you but any advice will be appreciated. Thank you in advance for any help.

Ironically last night I signed up for my real estate agents course. Then after I was done I checked my email for the confirmation letter, what do I find. My email was telling me Allison from bigger pockets just tweeted a few stories. One being 6 reasons not to get your real estate license. Hmmm. So this sort of lit a fire in me to seek out more opinions, tips and advice for someone new getting into real estate sales. I am looking to hopefully do a career change and wasn't just looking to use it for investing. So I felt the article from bigger pockets was more geared towards investors thinking about getting a real estate license to help them invest, I would be getting into real estate sales because I actually want a career change. It could be a bridge job between my current one and what I plan for farther down the road. Or I may like it more than I think I do and never quit, who knows. But I know education on any topic is one of the best way to master something. So any agent that was part time and went full time I would especially like to hear from you but any advice will be appreciated. Thank you in advance for any help.

I would go with the better warranty offered. And make sure you register it, some companies only give full warranties out to customers who do the full registration process. I wouldn't buy any extended warranty from the box stores though. I would trust both brands so don't over think it. On a side note. An emergency drain pan installed with an automatic shut valve that operates off of a wet switch that is located in the drain pan will protect the rest of the dwelling from water damage and could possibly give you a better insurance rate.

Just shop around. A lot of the times Home Depot has some good prices. But the mom and pop store around the corner might have something just what you are looking for. A lot of people love the look of the antique vanity. Instead of buying a faux one, look for a piece of furniture you can make into one. Think out of the box. It never hurts to call and check prices and availability over the phone before you get in your vehicle and waste gas.

As a home owner you are allowed to do your own work as long as you pull all the permits. That being said. You can end up costing yourself a lot of time and money with an improperly installed mechanical system. Also, the equipment you. Can buy online do not offer warranties because it isn't being installed by a licensed contractor. So if anything breaks during the first few years of operation then you would have to pay full price for parts again. On the efficiency size, you can truest never size a heating or cooling system by square footage. A proper heat calculation must be done to size the unit to run correctly. Now that's just the equipment. You still have to make sure that the ductwork is correct size and distributed right as well. I am a licensed hvac contractor from Connecticut. I would say find a good contractor that isn't a big time company. You can get a quality install and they will be able to beat the price of the big guy but hundreds if not thousands. Best of luck to you.

I have noticed many mentions of meet ups around the state. I live in Enfield near the MASS border. What are options for meet ups in my area? I know we live in a small state so ultimately I could drive to any of them but time is precious and closer the better. Thanks

Good luck to you @Daniel Saunders. You are at the spot im shooting for. Currently a licensed HVAC contractor working for a franchise in North Central CT. While the trade has treated me good its not my long term goal to working in this field. I have a love for real estate and will be taking the real estate principles course soon to be able to sit for my exam. The plan is to transition from my current day job to a job as an agent and to be able to work with a team under a broker who embraces investors and investing.

Now from what you have wrote it seems like you will be looking for seasoned agents but thought I would introduce myself anyways. Maybe  we can talk sometime I am just getting started and trying to network with realtors, brokers, and investors in the area. Also, if you ever need advice on issues with heating and cooling systems I would be glad to lend some knowledge out to others.