All Forum Posts by: Jen Kurtz

Yep! Agreeing with you- in Youngstown!! Can't wait for it to be 30 on Saturday! ;) LOL

congrats Joe, keep us posted! Excited to hear how everything works out for you! :)

@Felicia Gordon 

and @JIMMY PASCHALIS 

- you are welcome!! :)

Amy,

I plan to be the person you are looking for in 5-10 years. I am three years involved in the Youngstown Ohio area, and while I love Pittsburgh (have previously lived there and will be returning), that is the market I love and look forward to being in!! I hope to run into you down the road :)

HI Jimmy!!! Congrats on thinking about the next best move for your future. Someone asked a very similar question just a few days ago, and I wrote a lengthy response. I think if you check it out, it may help you. Its really about determining your ultimate goal: working for someone else or for yourself.

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/168319-job-searching?page=1#p1134129

@Felicia Gordon 

In my opinion, degrees are most useful for super technical things and knowledge that you absolutely must have on a job- like being a CPA or engineer, or any health field. For any business related occupation, a degree can usually get someone an interview faster than someone who does not have one. I have a BA in economics, and I know it has opened some doors initially for me, many times. However, I also believe that business can be self-taught and if you know what youre talking about and can demonstrate in experience, that will suffice. Especially, if you want to work for yourself. I am happy to have my degree, but I look at the piece of paper as it is something that shows someone else you know something. If you want to work for yourself (like I discovered after college that I do), my experience and reputation will prove what I can do for people.

Depending on your goals, I would recommend getting a real estate education (in the form of licensing classes) if you want a license. If you want to continue working for someone else- like a developer, management company, etc.- then you may want to pursue a degree in business, real estate, finance, or even construction. If you want to work for yourself as an investor- learn everything you can for free by reading books, participating in online forums (like this website), watch youtube, anything- the options are endless.

If you plan to be an employee til retirement, then you will need to find out what you are lacking. It is either education, experience, or your interview skills and resume/cover letter writing needs some improvement. If you are applying and not hearing anything, I'd look at what you are sending to them and find ways to improve it to catch hiring managers' attention. If you are going to interviews but not getting the job, then find ways to improve your interviewing skills- in that case, you are not making a memorable impression compared to your compeition. Perhaps, even call interviewers you sat with and ask if they could tell you what they believe your strengths and weaknesses are, and if they have any suggestions they could give you to break into that particular industry.

Network, volunteer in real estate and community groups (like habitat for humanity or neighborhood redevelopment groups), always keep an eye out for opportunities. Keep learning, keep improving. Good luck!! :)

Youngstown, Ohio (and a lot of midwest)- but you have to be in a desireable area (in the surrounding suburbs), where people will WANT to rent and where you wont struggle terribly with vacancy.

@Rachel Gill -Such a great topic, I LOVE rehab addict because I love old homes, architecture, and their charm. But I also always said the same thing- "who is buying the homes from Nicole and how long is she carrying them??" You are not alone in your love for those beautiful old houses :)

Thanks @Nathan Bibb 

- I look forward to meeting you in the future. Stephanie let me know about the meeting coming up and I plan to attend. What is the date and time for January's meeting?

Joe, I am an employee with the developer/managing agent of the property I work at, NRP Group. Outside of my job, I am working on eventually becoming my own boss :)