Nestled in Arizona’s picturesque landscape, Prescott is a city that seamlessly blends history, natural beauty, and community spirit. Prescott exudes a sense of timelessness as Arizona’s first territorial capital while embracing modernity. Beyond its charming streets and stunning vistas, this city holds many intriguing facts that have helped shape its character today. Whether you are looking to rent an apartment in Prescott, or purchase a home in the area, this Redfin article will explore five captivating facts about Prescott and its enduring significance in both the past and the present.
1. Prescott was named after someone who had never been to Arizona
Amidst the American West’s expansion, Prescott emerged as a settlement, chosen to serve as the Territorial Capital of Arizona In 1864. This decision was made due to Prescott’s central location and its potential to foster commerce, government administration, and development in the newly carved Arizona Territory. The city’s establishment coincided with the Civil War. It was named in honor of William H. Prescott, one of the most distinguished historians of the 19th century, but who also ironically had never set foot in what would become the great state of Arizona. The city of Prescott served as the capital until 1867 when the designation was moved to Tucson and later to Phoenix.
2. The city has a rich mining history
Prescott’s history is rooted in mining, a legacy that played a vital role in shaping the city’s growth and character. With the discovery of gold in the nearby Bradshaw Mountains during the 1860s, Prescott swiftly evolved into a bustling mining town, drawing prospectors and settlers seeking their fortunes. The Bradshaw Mountains yielded valuable minerals like gold, silver, and copper, fueling a mining boom that transformed Prescott into a regional economic powerhouse. Though the initial rush subsided, mining remained a cornerstone of Prescott’s economy for decades, with the city’s landscape dotted with historic structures from its mining bygone days.
3. Prescott is part of the “Quad-City” area
Prescott is part of a region known as the “Quad-City” area, a collective term that encompasses four distinct municipalities nestled in the heart of north-central Arizona. Alongside Prescott, this community consists of Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, and Dewey-Humboldt. These cities form a network that shares resources, amenities, and a common identity. The Quad-City area is known for its picturesque landscapes, moderate climate, and harmonious urban and rural living blend.
4. The Yavapai tribe first inhabited the area of Prescott
The surrounding area of Prescott is the ancestral homeland of the Yavapai tribe, the region’s original inhabitants. Before European settlement, the Yavapai people established communities in the valleys and mountains surrounding present-day Prescott. With a deep connection to the land, they thrived through a lifestyle centered around hunting, gathering, and cultivating resources. The Yavapai’s intricate knowledge of the local flora, fauna, and ecosystems enabled them to flourish within the diverse terrain. Their cultural traditions, spiritual beliefs, and unique way of life created a harmonious relationship between their community and the natural environment.
5. Half the city burned down in 1900
In 1900, Prescott faced a significant event called the “Great Fire of 1900.” Erupting on the Fourth of July, the fire consumed a substantial portion of Prescott’s downtown area. Fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, the flames swiftly spread through wooden structures, shops, and residences. The fire’s path of destruction altered the city’s landscape, leaving many historic buildings and landmarks reduced to ashes.
I had lunch with my friend Cameron a few weeks ago. Over plates of Kung Pao Chicken and Mongolian Beef, the conversation drifted toward personal finance. We began to talk about the repairs and upgrades we’ve been making to our homes.
Kris and I bought our current house three years ago; Cameron and his wife bought their home two years ago. Both were big upgrades from what we had previously owned. And though neither couple spent more than they could afford, we’re now realizing that bigger isn’t always better.
Our first house was a 1365 square foot ranch-style home on a 7500 square foot lot. It was an unremarkable house, except that it was located in my home town. We could walk to the grocery store, to the barber, to our favorite restaurants. I could bike to work. If we still lived there, we would be paying off the mortgage next spring.
But I had always dreamed of a bigger place. I wanted a home with acreage. When we found a hundred-year-old farmhouse nestled close into Portland, we bought it. Our new house has 1820 square feet on two-thirds of an acre (less land than I wanted, but enough). We love the place. After three years, though, it’s clear that 1820 square feet is too much for the two of us. We have two rooms that remain essentially unused, but which we furnish, heat, and cool nonetheless.
Cameron also had a modest ranch house on an average lot. When his wife got a good job in a different part of the state, they bought a bigger place. It’s a wonderful home: huge floorplan, five acres, an amazing view. But Cameron, too, is beginning to understand that upsizing has unexpected costs.
Don’t misunderstand me: both of us love our houses, but we’ve come to realize there are trade-offs. Too much house is as much a problem as not enough. “I feel like I’m always cleaning,” Cameron told me. “I feel like I’m always doing yardwork,” I said. There are other considerations, too, some of which are obvious, others less so:
A larger house generally brings a larger mortgage.
A larger mortgage means more total interest paid over the life of the loan.
A larger home has higher utility bills.
It costs more to furnish.
And from our experience, larger homes have more things that can go wrong with them.
Cameron and I talked about remodeling projects, about long-term plans, and about what we’ve learned since moving. “We’ll never use all the space we have,” he told me. “And with two young kids, it’s all we can do to keep up with maintenance.”
“My values have changed,” I said. “I always thought I wanted a big house. I thought that was a sign of success. I don’t believe that anymore.”
That’s the crux of the problem: What was important to me three years ago is less important to me now. In Stumbling on Happiness, Daniel Gilbert writes that it’s difficult for the present You to predict what will make the future You happy. You do your best, but sometimes the future You looks back and scratches his head wondering what his younger self was thinking.
Neither Cameron nor I intend to move, but we now appreciate the advantages of a smaller home, advantages we didn’t recognize when we had them!
Related Reading
Last year, NPR had a story on the ever-expanding American dream house, which looked at the pros and cons of large homes. Though this piece actually discusses very large homes, it still explores issues like the reasons large houses have become so prevalent.
Architect Sarah Susanka has a series of books (and a web site) that explore the concept of what she calls The Not So Big House. She writes:
The inspiration for The Not So Big House came from a growing awareness that new houses were getting bigger and bigger but with little redeeming design merit. The problem is that comfort has almost nothing to do with how big a space is. It is attained, rather, by tailoring our houses to fit the way we really live, and to the scale and proportions of our human form. Two must-read articles about this topic include Cultural Creatives: The Rise of Integral Culture, by Dr. Paul Ray and a recent interview with William McDonough in Newsweek magazine entitled Designing The Future.
Finally, for years I’ve been fascinated by people who choose to live in ultra-small houses. How small? The Tumbleweed Tiny House Company has plans for homes as small as 40 square feet! Really, though, I’m more interested in their 392 square foot glass house, or the 100 square foot EPU (which you can build for just $19,000 plus labor). You can find more homes like this at The Small House Society.
The last thing you want to think about before packing your bags and sailing away on your dream cruise vacation is what would happen if you got sick while on board the ship.
But unfortunately, people do get sick while on vacation. They can also injure themselves or become ill enough that they need to return home.
That’s why it’s prudent to invest in a cruise travel insurance policy and be prepared for the unexpected. It’s also a good idea to know what onboard medical care your ship can and cannot provide in an emergency. It’s especially important if you’re traveling in far-flung locales that may not have adequate medical facilities – when you can even go ashore.
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TPG reached out to several cruise lines, from mass-market companies to smaller luxury ships and expedition lines, but few wanted to comment directly on this topic in response to our questions. Some declined, while others referred us to their websites, where you can find basic information under the FAQs sections on what their ships typically offer regarding medical assistance.
If you want to know the specifics about getting a COVID-19 test on board or what would happen if you broke an arm or needed to be airlifted to a medical facility while cruising, we have direct answers from three cruise lines – MSC Cruises, Holland America Line and Azamara. We’ve also compiled general information from several lines with detailed information on their websites.
Here’s what you need to know before you go, so you can feel confident that you’ll have competent and comprehensive medical care if you fall ill while cruising on the high seas.
Do cruise ships have medical centers, and who works in them?
All ocean-going ships have medical centers staffed with trained professionals, so medical care is accessible when you’re on board the ship. The facilities and what they offer will vary, depending on the size of the ship and the number of passengers and crew.
For example, according to Royal Caribbean’s website, their medical centers are staffed with two or three licensed physicians and three to five licensed nurses 24 hours a day. The staff may be international or U.S.-based. The website also states, “All Royal Caribbean Group (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Silversea) ships are built, staffed, stocked and equipped to meet or exceed guidelines established by the American College of Emergency Physicians Cruise Ship & Maritime Medicine Section.”
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A clinical staff from multiple nationalities works in MSC Cruises’ facilities. The medical professionals also adhere to the standards prescribed by the American College of Emergency Physicians – Cruise Ship Medicine Section Guidelines.
Holland America’s medical centers are staffed with a team of experienced physicians and nurses that can manage a broad range of conditions. The onboard facilities are fully equipped with testing and treatment capabilities, and the team has a close working relationship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.K.’s National Health Service, regional and local public health agencies and the University of Texas Medical Branch. These associations benefit both the guests and their employees.
Azamara’s spokesperson tells us that the medical facility on board its four boutique ships offers “enhanced equipment, isolation staterooms that provide comfortable and complimentary care, onboard testing capabilities and telehealth medical support. Guests who fall ill will meet with the medical team, which is typically at least one registered physician and one nurse, who will then develop a multi-level response plan.”
Viking’s website also states that its ocean and expedition vessels have upgraded state-of-the-art medical facilities with specialized equipment.
It’s best to contact the company directly if you’re traveling with a smaller cruise or expedition line and want information on specific capabilities and the medical services they offer should you become ill or injured. Many smaller ships sail close to shore, so additional medical facilities will be available in port. However, this won’t be an option when sailing expeditions to remote destinations like Antarctica or the Arctic.
Related: How to avoid seasickness on your next cruise
Do I need an appointment to see a doctor on board?
You should visit the medical center if you have a persistent sore throat, headache, fever, body aches or an upset stomach that could be the flu or a contagious virus, such as COVID-19 or norovirus. If you’ve tripped or fallen and have a swollen ankle or hand, you should also seek medical care.
According to a representative for MSC Cruises, you don’t need an appointment to go to the onboard medical centers. Walk-ins are welcome 24/7, but you can also make an appointment.
MSC’s spokesperson recommends seeing someone if you’re not feeling well, and they tell us their staff can handle a “spectrum of medical situations ranging from routine general practice cases and medical emergencies to those requiring intensive care.”
Holland America guests can dial the emergency number on their cabin phone 24 hours a day for medical assistance.
Azamara’s medical centers are open twice a day for walk-ins. If you need to see someone during off hours, guest services can call an on-duty nurse.
On a Carnival Cruise Line ship, medical staff is on call 24 hours a day for emergencies. On sea days, you can visit the medical center between 9 a.m. and noon and again between 3 and 6 p.m. On port days, the facility is open from 8 to 10 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m.
According to its website, Princess Cruises’ ships also have medical centers staffed by full-time registered physicians and nurses. The facilities are open twice daily, and they provide 24-hour emergency care.
Can you get a COVID-19, flu or strep test on the ship?
Most cruise lines, including those mentioned above, can perform various tests, as needed, as part of the medical services offered. These include testing for COVID-19, flu, strep or other suspected illnesses.
Some lines, like Azamara, offer COVID-19 testing without a medical consultation, while others, such as MSC Cruises and Holland America, do not offer walk-in testing. Guests must see a physician first to determine if testing is necessary.
Related: Why I feel safer now on a cruise ship than in my home town
“The onboard physician may recommend a test for COVID-19 if one’s symptoms suggest the possibility of a Covid infection,” shares a Holland America spokesperson in an email. “We encourage our guests to purchase their self-tests before traveling and bring them aboard. In that way, if they have any concerns, they may test themselves and protect their family, fellow guests and our crew. Of course, we do request they notify the medical staff if they test positive.”
Can I get medications on board the ship?
If you forgot to pack basic over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, allergy medications or antacids, these items are typically available in one of the shops on the ship or at the medical center. You should also be able to find them at a pharmacy in port when you go ashore.
If you’ve forgotten prescription medications and need a prescription filled, you’ll have to visit the medical center to see a nurse or a physician. A cruise ship can’t stock all possible medications, so you might need to accept an alternative.
Cruise lines aren’t going to release their formularies, but they probably have prescription medications for the most common ailments such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and thyroid disease. They also stock antibiotics for infections.
If you have another medical condition, you may not find the appropriate medicines to treat it on board. On its website, Carnival advises that its ships may not have certain medications and vitamins available. If you forgot your medications and they’re not stocked on your ship, you must visit a medical facility ashore.
MSC Cruises urges passengers to bring any required medications for their journey from home. If they forget or need something, over-the-counter medications are available in the retail spaces. Guests will find some medicines at the reception desk for minor ailments like motion sickness. They can visit the medical center for other requests, such as basic prescription medications inadvertently left at home.
Related: 27 cruise ship embarkation day do’s and don’ts
In addition to over-the-counter medications available at the retail shops, such as pain medications for headaches, cough drops or upset stomachs, doctors at Holland America’s medical centers can prescribe and dispense basic medications you may have forgotten. They also have medication to treat severe illnesses until a guest is better or until they can be brought ashore for treatment.
Some over-the-counter medications, including antacids and ibuprofen, are available to guests at the medical center on Azamara’s ships. If a guest needs a prescription medication, it can be prescribed after a consultation.
Carnival sells over-the-counter medications for colds, coughs and upset stomachs at the medical center, or in some cases, at the retail shops. Its ships also have motion sickness pills available (for a fee) through room service, guest services or the medical center. In extreme cases, they can administer a shot for motion sickness.
The line also offers complimentary medi-coolers to store prescription items that must be kept at a specific temperature. They are available in limited quantities with a $75 deposit. You can request one once you’re on board the ship.
What if I fall and break a bone or need stitches?
The trained staff at the ship’s medical center can handle injuries, such as broken bones or deep cuts that require stitches. If the injury is more severe, the medical team can stabilize a guest until the ship reaches the port and the patient can be transferred off the ship.
MSC Cruises’ onboard medical centers can handle a spectrum of medical situations, including the initial management of fractures and suturing of lacerations, a spokesperson explained.
Holland America’s medical centers are also well-equipped to care for guests that need immediate medical attention, much like an urgent care center at home. Their ships have X-ray machines, and the medical teams are trained to operate radiology and lab equipment.
Azamara can also handle these types of injuries, says a spokesperson for the line. In the case of a broken bone or orthopedic injury, the onboard provider will also recommend that the guest follows up with an orthopedic referral at the next available port.
“While Azamara’s onboard staff is available to help with any medical issues that arise, the medical facilities are not intended as clinics for guests,” a spokesperson says. “Azamara is not responsible for the diagnosis, treatment or services furnished by shipboard medical personnel, who are independent contractors.”
What if I’m really sick and need a specialist or hospital?
The medical staff on oceangoing vessels are trained to handle emergency situations such as a heart attack or stroke and they have defibrillators and other life-saving equipment on board in case of such emergencies.
MSC Cruises’ vessels are equipped with intensive care facilities where guests can be stabilized and cared for until the passenger can be transferred to a hospital. If the ship is at sea, the ship’s captain and medical staff will need to decide how the passenger will be evacuated. Options may include a diversion of the ship to the nearest port, a boat transfer or, if necessary, a helicopter evacuation.
“The decision is influenced by a variety of external factors, like weather, distance to land and resource availability,” an MSC Cruises spokesperson told TPG. “The decision is also made by consulting with local shoreside maritime authorities.”
Related: How to avoid getting sick on a cruise
Holland America also has established and well-practiced medical protocols surrounding treating seriously ill passengers. “In situations that require referral to shoreside hospitals, the shipboard treating doctors evaluate suitable options by medevac,” a company spokesperson said.
The line works with local emergency services to arrange for the patient to be picked up and transferred to a designated shoreside medical facility when necessary. The care team will also continue to assist and support the disembarked guest and their traveling companions.
Azamara will also assist in bringing guests that need additional care to a hospital as quickly as possible. The onboard team will request an airlift if necessary (depending on the location). Since the line’s itineraries include more time in port, ships are typically close to land. Azamara will also follow up with the guest to ensure they receive the necessary care.
Royal Caribbean Group’s physicians and nurses are required to maintain Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training. “In responding to medical emergencies, our goal is to first stabilize emergency patients and, when necessary, evacuate the patient to an appropriately equipped and staffed shoreside medical facility,” its website says.
Will insurance cover me if I get sick on a cruise?
You’ll be charged a fee for service if you need to visit a physician or nurse during your cruise. Cruise ships don’t file insurance claims, so you’ll have to do that directly with your insurance company once you’re home. Princess’ website clearly states that charges for medical services will be added to your shipboard account and that guests will receive an itemized bill to send to their insurance company.
This is one of the reasons to invest in travel insurance when you travel. Your regular health insurance policy may or may not cover you when you’re traveling outside the country — or will only cover some but not all of your expenses. Some insurance plans, like Medicare, won’t cover you outside the U.S. except for a few specific emergency circumstances. A travel insurance policy with good medical coverage can make up the difference or reimburse you for medical bills your regular insurance won’t.
Related: The 5 best cruise travel insurance plans
Bottom line
It’s advisable to bring emergency supplies with you when you cruise because you never know what might happen. You’ll want to pack essential over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, antacids and allergy medications. If you think you may need any of these medicines during your vacation, you’ll want to have them on hand, so you won’t need to pay high prices on the ship or schedule a consultation with a doctor in order to get them.
You might also want to bring a COVID-19 test with you or any braces or assistive devices you occasionally use. It will be much cheaper to bring them from home than to purchase them on board.
Also, consider purchasing a travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical care that your regular health policy won’t reimburse you for when traveling, especially when you’re out of the country. Depending on the policy, you can also recover some of the expense of the trip if you have to return home early.
It’s important to know that if you fall ill or become injured during your vacation, you can get medical care on board the ship for many situations – or at least be stabilized until the medical team and crew can transfer you ashore to a hospital or emergency facility.
It’s best to check with each cruise line before traveling to understand their policies, especially if you have a preexisting condition that could flare up while on the cruise. Be sure to ask what medical care is available specifically on the ship you’ll be sailing on, as older and smaller vessels may have different facilities and capabilities than the newer and larger ships.
The decline of Fort Morgan didn’t happen suddenly. There wasn’t a giant factory that closed or a natural disaster that devastated the small, farming town on the plains in the northeastern corridor of Colorado.
Instead, Fort Morgan’s story is a familiar one playing out across rural America: children moving away to find better jobs in the cities and big-box stores and online shopping leading to empty storefronts on Main Street. But this isn’t how the story ends for Fort Morgan, about an hour and 15 minutes northeast of Denver.
HGTV is turning its star power on Fort Morgan with the Season 2 premiere of “Home Town Takeover.” The show will feature its biggest name stars, including Ben and Erin Napier of “Home Town” and Dave and Jenny Marrs of “Fixer to Fabulous,” as they take on revitalization projects around town. The six-episode series is to premiere on Sunday.
The popular network has a strong track record of transforming struggling, down-on-their-luck, small towns and cities into popular tourist and real estate destinations. Several of these communities have credited the shows built around them for their turnarounds. Can HGTV and its talent re-create the magic in Fort Morgan—and perhaps inspire other struggling towns to invest in their own revitalizations?
“At the end of the day, millions of people are going to see this show,” Jenny Marrs tells Realtor.com®. “They’re going to be inspired either to go and visit Fort Morgan, which would be amazing and help the town as far as tourism, but also just be inspired to maybe do the same thing in their own town.”
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Watch: Exclusive: Is HGTV’s ‘Renovation 911’ the Most Dramatic Home Improvement Show Yet?
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Over the four months of filming for the show, the teams completed 18 projects. They included fixing up homes of local heroes, businesses such as the town’s bowling alley, and community spaces such as the downtown business district and a local park.
“Our town could use a jump-start,” says local artist Ann Iungerich. “The last 10 to 15 years, it’s gone through a slump. We could use a boost to get us back on track.”
Helping out on the projects were guest stars Jonathan Knight, star of HGTV’s “Farmhouse Fixer” and former vocalist for New Kids on the Block; rapper Lil Jon, who also has a show, “Lil Jon Wants To Do What?”; and Ty Pennington of “Rock the Block,” among others.
“These towns each have a special story,” says Jenny Marrs. She was most impressed by the people she met in Fort Morgan and how they rallied together to improve their community. “People stop, they say hello, they wave at you when you drive by, they know your name at the grocery stores. These sort of simple things can be really powerful.
“Families have lived in these small towns for generations. This is their family legacy and history,” she continues. “They shouldn’t have to move if we can help make the town viable again.”
The HGTV effect on real estate markets
The Texas city of Waco is perhaps the best example of the power of HGTV and its charismatic stars.
“Fixer Upper” premiered in 2013 and launched Chip and Joanna Gaines into the stratosphere. The couple built an empire off of that show, with a furniture line at Target, eight bestselling books between them, and even their own network, called Magnolia. But their greatest accomplishment might have been transforming the public image of Waco.
Before the popularity brought by the Gaineses, the city had been best known for a deadly standoff in 1993 between federal agents and a religious cult run by David Koresh. Now, tourists flock to the city to shop at the Gaineses’ stores and eat at their restaurant, Magnolia Table.
Average home prices in McLennan County, which includes Waco, surged almost 52.1% from 2015 to 2019, according to data previously provided by local real estate broker Camille Johnson. (“Fixer Upper” ran from 2013 to 2018 on HGTV. It was rebooted as “Fixer Upper: Welcome Home” on the Magnolia network in 2021.)
Before “Home Town” began filming in Laurel, MS, Mayor Johnny Magee flew out to Waco. He wanted to see the impact that “Fixer Upper” had on the struggling city.
“What we saw were tourists everywhere, and people were claiming that the same could happen in Laurel. We were doubtful,” says Magee. He didn’t realize how popular the show starring the Napiers would be when it premiered in January 2016.
Today, Laurel is booming. Its hotels and restaurants are full, home sales have risen as more people have moved here, and the town’s tax base has increased.
Home list prices surged in Laurel, shooting up 84.1% from July 2016 through July 2022, according to Realtor.com data. That’s compared with a 71.9% increase nationally and 60.8% in Mississippi over the same period.
“I am a native Laurelite who is amazed about what has happened since Ben and Erin Napier have begun the ‘Home Town’ show in Laurel. When the show began, downtown was like a ghost town,” says Magee. “What we have experienced has blown the minds of everyone who knew Laurel pre-‘Home Town.’”
Bentonville, AR, where “Fixer to Fabulous” is filmed, is a bit of an exception as it’s a city of more than 55,000 residents. It’s also the birthplace and headquarters of Walmart.
However, the Marrses have seen tourism tick up as a result of their show. There are now golf cart tours of the homes that have appeared on “Fixer to Fabulous.”
“It’s a powerful thing,” Dave Marrs says of the HGTV effect on Bentonville.
But there are a few downsides.
Home prices can rise as a result of being in the spotlight, say the Marrses. The number of properties for rent and sale is likely to drop even further as out-of-towners move in. That’s likely to make it harder for locals to find places. And those who grew up in the community might find themselves competing with deep-pocketed investors and retirees.
When home prices increase, property taxes can also rise. That was a substantial problem that homeowners in Waco experienced.
Fort Morgan’s already benefiting from ‘Home Town Takeover’
Since the news broke in July that the new season of “Home Town Takeover” would be filmed in Fort Morgan, commercial properties downtown have been selling quicker, says Brian Urdiales, a Fort Morgan councilman and Compass real estate broker.
“It isn’t typical to see three commercial properties on Main Street go onto the market and then close in a short time,” he says. “It would be great to see all the foot traffic and people on Main Street like when I grew up.”
Tourists have also begun to trickle in, says artist Iungerich, 61, a lifelong resident of the town. She submitted the town’s original application to be on the show when it launched just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020. And she created an art installation that will be featured on the show: a 5-foot-tall bowling ball, a 9.5-foot-tall pin, and a crown, all placed in front of the local bowling alley.
The recent trickle of tourists is certainly something new for Fort Morgan, founded after an eponymously named military post opened in the mid-19th century along the South Platte River.
Today, the fort no longer remains and Fort Morgan is primarily a farming and ranching community of about 11,500 residents. There is a large Cargill beef processing plant, a mozzarella cheese processing facility, and a historic sugar factory.
The old railroad depot is boarded up, but folks can still catch an Amtrak train to Denver or into Nebraska. There are some restaurants, and the movie theater has recently been remodeled.
Fort Morgan has “the blue-collar jobs. They have the farming. They just didn’t have the draw to keep people there,” Dave Marrs tells Realtor.com. “So a lot of our focus was ‘Hey, you’re working here, stay here. Spend time here, spend money here so the town can develop even more.’”
Despite the town’s struggles, Fort Morgan’s real estate market has remained appealing to buyers priced out of more expensive parts of the state. During the pandemic, many Denver-area buyers came to Fort Morgan seeking more affordable properties, more space, and a more rural lifestyle. Homes sold briskly in a single weekend, often for over the asking price.
The real estate market has since come back down as higher mortgage interest rates are forcing many would-be buyers to the sidelines. Home list prices are mostly back to pre-pandemic levels, at a median of $330,550 in March, according to Realtor.com data.
Homes in Fort Morgan are still attracting buyers, especially as prices are about half of Denver’s median price tag of $663,000 and roughly $100,000 less than the national median of $424,500 in March.
“Our market’s always been pretty strong,” says Urdiales. He’s still seeing bidding wars, investors making all-cash offers, and first-time buyers jumping into the fray. “People are still buying.”
And the international exposure the town is about to receive is expected to be positive for the real estate market, especially as many viewers are working remotely and can live just about anywhere.
“It brings this aura of glamour to the small-town lifestyle,” says Jeff Engelstad, a real estate professor at the University of Denver. “You get on a million people’s radar, and you’re going to land a few of them.”
Home prices surge in Wetumpka after ‘Home Town Takeover’
Perhaps the best blueprint of what’s in store for Fort Morgan might be what happened in Wetumpka, AL. The small town was featured in the first season of “Home Town Takeover,” which premiered in May 2021.
As HGTV broadcast this small town into living rooms all over the world, the real estate market caught fire. Prices rose and homes flew off the market. Homes for rent or sale were scarce.
Home list prices in Wetumpka grew 42.3% from January 2021 through January 2023, according to Realtor.com data.
While some of that is due to the hot housing market during the pandemic, Wetumpka saw much larger run-ups in prices than the state or rest of the country. Over the same period, prices rose 26% in Alabama and 23.9% nationally.
The market has since slowed along with the rest of the nation, but some homes are still receiving multiple offers, says Wetumpka real estate broker Beverly Wright, of Re/Max Cornerstone Realty.
“It’s pretty crazy,” says Shellie Whitfield, executive director of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’re still building housing, and once the shovel’s in the ground, they’re sold.”
When she moved to Wetumpka in summer 2017, about 40% of the stores downtown were boarded up. Now, only two storefronts are empty and busloads of tourists visit the town’s new bookstore, ice cream parlor, pet store, and even a high-end olive oil and vinegar store.
“They sped us up about 15 years. It’s been really great,” says Whitfield. “They just catapulted us just far beyond anything anyone could have imagined.”
Whitfield is confident the show will have a similar effect on Fort Morgan.
“They definitely will see some impact because there is such a strong following for the show,” says Whitfield.
The Marrses want viewers to be inspired to take action to turn their own towns around.
“I hope that people watch this show and say we can do that,” Jenny Marrs says. “It’s a spark that gets the fire started.”
The American housewife! Who has a more important or more responsible occupation? Wife, mother, laundress, counselor, maid, chef, purchasing agent. All of these are her duties at one time or another.
So begins Buying Food, a home economics film from 1950. Buying Food is fascinating not just for its shopping tips, but also for the inside look at a grocery store from 60 years ago. (Self-service grocery stores were introduced in 1916 and grew in popularity during the 1920s and 1930s, but they were still relatively young in 1950.)
The condescending narrator e-nun-ci-ates his thesis:
If her income is limited — and most incomes are — it is her duty to be sure that what she has to spend buys the most in healthful, nutritious food for her family. Yes, she feels that she must buy wisely if she can. But what does this mean? What can she do to be sure that her money goes as far as possible?
Most of these tips will probably be quite familiar. But remember, this film is meant to educate future housewives: high school girls. Tips include:
Use a grocery list to eliminate impulse buying. Notice that the film’s impulse buyer is a man. A man can’t possibly know how to shop properly, right? (Kris would answer “yes”.)
Buy only what you need. When you buy too much, whether through impulse or through mistaken economy, you run the risk of creating waste. And wasted food is a huge drain on the budget (both then and now).
Compare unit pricing. The film doesn’t call it unit pricing, but that’s what it is. Viewers are instructed to compare the price per ounce on a can of beans, for example. Search for the best value, which isn’t always the largest lot.
Buy in bulk. You can often save money by purchasing “case lots”. (Actually, the grocery store we used to shop at in my home town still has a “case sale” every summer. You can order cases of your favorite food in advance. I’d always order a case or two of my favorite canned chili. It was a great way to save money.)
Don’t buy foods your family won’t eat. And don’t buy too many perishables. Again, you don’t want to waste food.
Know what you’re buying before you buy. “When you buy canned goods, be sure to read the label. The information on the label is much more reliable than the flowery language of advertisements.”
Purchase produce in season, when possible. Produce costs less and tastes better when it is in season. (Yes, it’s obvious, but it’s a main point in the film.) The film also notes that “if the housewife’s time is not too highly valued”, home-canned produce can be a savings.
Frozen foods are a good choice. They’re nearest in quality to fresh produce. They cost a little more, but this cost is offset by the fact that there’s no waste.
Use the best grade of milk available to you. “Disease may be contracted by drinking unsanitary raw milk.” (Of all the tips, this seems least applicable to modern grocery shoppers.)
But successful meals aren’t just about smart shopping. The film notes that cooking skills are important, too:
The cooking ability of the housewife [is] highly important. It doesn’t take much skill to make an excellent meal from an expensive t-bone steak. But the sign of an accomplished cook is an attractive and tasty dish made from less expensive meat: hamburger, frankfurters. Even a well-prepared, well-seasoned stew is a dish a housewife can be proud to set before her family.
Over the past few weeks, Kris and I have had fun browsing through the Public Domain media at the Internet Archive. There’s a massive collection of old instructional films (like this one) on a variety of subjects — dating, diet, driving — including many on personal finance. If you, too, enjoy films like this, I encourage you to spend some time exploring the site.
Note: This film was created for high school home economics classes of the 1950s. Yes, by modern standards it’s sexist, but if you can put your brain on “pause”, it’s a fun film, and an interesting glimpse at the past. Plus, most of the tips are still applicable today.
Last week at Far Away Places (my new travel blog), I shared some tips on how to learn Spanish fast. The short version: Hire a tutor. But what if you can’t afford a tutor? What if you don’t want to spend money but still want to learn a language? In this guest post from Benny Lewis, the Irish polyglot, he shares tips on how to learn a language on the cheap. For more info, visit Benny’s site, Fluent in 3 Months.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could effortlessly communicate in another language? For many people, this seems like a pipe dream. We aren’t going to wake up one day (Ã la Jason Bourne) suddenly fluent in a bunch of languages, and we can’t download them into our brain instantaneously like they do in The Matrix. Such dramatic changes aren’t possible.
However, it is possible for the average adult to learn to speak a foreign language confidently in a relatively short time.
I’m sure you’ve met people who have managed to learn a foreign language, either by growing up with it or learning it as an adult. The only problem is that we tend to think they had resources we didn’t have: time, talent, and (above all) money. Surely it must have cost a small fortune for the courses they took, the software they bought, and the time abroad to study. It all seems out of reach for those of us on a budget.
Today I’m here to tell you that money has nothing to do with learning a language. In this article, I’ll give you several steps to learn your target language and reach a good spoken level — maybe even fluency — without spending a cent.
It’s time to start language hacking!
Finding the Right Mindset
I’ve been learning languages for about eight years, and can indeed speak several fluently now. I typically socialize and live my life almost entirely without using any English, depending on where I am and who I’m with.
However, at age 21 I could only speak English and had poor academic results in German from school. Learning a language seemed impossible.
I didn’t have the right “genes”.
I had to work full-time so I simply couldn’t spend all day studying.
I have a terrible memory for simple information.
I was too old (I heard from somewhere that 14 or something was a critical age limit for learning a second language, but it turns out this rumor is totally unfounded).
I had just graduated in engineering — “you’re either good at Mathematics/Physics or you’re good at Art/Languages” I told myself.
I was so sure of all of this that I managed to spend six months living in Spain without learning to speak any Spanish!
But then one day I had a Eureka! moment. I realized what had been holding me back all this time: My devotion to the excuses, not the excuses themselves. It was a fear to speak, a fear of ridicule, a fear of annoying natives, a fear of making mistakes and looking stupid.
Only fear kept me from learning to speak another language.
In meeting thousands of language learners over the last decade I can confirm that fear is why they aren’t speaking — the actual excuses they give are what they lean on to justify that fear. But it’s unfounded.
After living in dozens of countries, I can tell you that most people across the planet have no interest in making fun of your attempts to learn their language. First, they’re generally thrilled that an English speaker is even trying to speak their language. And second, very few people are that malicious. When you try your best to speak to a person in their native language, they appreciate it. People’s focus is always on understanding and communicating, never ridiculing someone willing to try.
So, my top tip to learning a language is to deal with your fears. This is a psychological barrier, not a monetary or genetic or intelligence problem. Apply some of the other tips in this article, and try to use your new language at every opportunity. By doing this you’ll see that all your fears are unfounded and even when you are speaking with just the basics, you can indeed do a lot! Each time you try, the fear starts to seem more illogical until it vanishes.
Learn the Essentials
Too many people who have a real desire to use a language get caught up in the learning stage and stay stuck there indefinitely. Too many of us are perfectionists, so we feel that you need to know all of the grammar and all of the vocabulary before you can “bother” a native with your stumbles.
So they get the biggest, fattest courses they can find. Perhaps that’s expensive software, which in my opinion actually leaves a lot to be desired, (as you can see in my frank Rosetta Stone review) or maybe it’s signing up to a classroom-style course. These systems use a ground-level-up approach of trying to teach you everything, and in doing so tend to teach you nothing that you can use right now.
All you really need to get started is a vague understanding of how the language works and some key phrases and essential vocabulary.
There are many completely free resources for getting these basics. A few of my favorite include:
Your local library for a book-based mini-course. I actually find these to be fine in many cases.
For learning the top 1000 or so words, I like to use a great flashcard app called Anki. It’s a free installation on computers (Windows/Mac/Linux), a free app on Android (called Ankidroid) and a free app on jailbroken iPhones (legally available in Cydia). The standard iPhone/iPod/iPad app is paid, however you can use the web interface instead for free via Safari (it’s very light on data requirements). This flashcard app uses the Spaced Repetition System that has proven to be an extremely effective way to retain vocabulary. You download pre-made decks (of the most important vocabulary) on the desktop application and transfer them to your smartphone to learn while waiting somewhere to use time most efficiently, or to study directly on your computer. (J.D. uses Flashcards Deluxe for the iPhone, but that costs four bucks.)
If you feel you are finding it hard to memorize words, I have personally found that applying image association and sound association can be very effective to make sure you don’t forget them. It takes some getting used to, but after a few tries it becomes second nature to learn vocabulary quicker this way. Also keep in mind that they are not all entirely new words. There are thousands of words you know already, especially in European languages.
Go through completely free online courses. Listing them here would be quite complicated, but one site that has done an excellent job of linking to some of the best online is Omniglot. Find your language in the list and scroll down to the bottom of its summary page to see the course links. Note that several will be (affiliate) links to paid products — you can get all the essentials you need from the free ones, such as BBC’s and about.com’s language overviews.
When you aren’t sure of a particular word, no need to have bought a dictionary! Google Translate can help to give you the basic gist (I wouldn’t recommend it for anything serious) and wordreference.com and other websites (depending on the language) have extensive free dictionaries for individual words with proper context explanations.
This may sound counter-intuitive, but I actually find that going through the shortest course is best when starting off. You just want an overview of the language — not the start of a very long and endless journey to find out everything about it. So after reading through and studying one of these online courses for just a few hours, and learning key basic vocabulary, focus entirely on learning phrases. Many of the courses linked to have some essential phrases included, but I actually find that learning a different set called conversational connectors can help you maintain the flow quicker in real conversations.
With just this handful of free tools, you can start learning the basics of your chosen language today.
Find People And Start Speaking the Language Immediately
There are hundreds of ways to learn a language, but I will tell you very frankly that if the goal is to speak it then anybody who tells you anything but to speak it right away is hurting your potential progress.
Studying indefinitely is a waste of time in this respect. The purpose of studying should be to improve what you’re already saying, not to prepare to speak some day. (There are seven days in a week and “some day” is not one of them.)
The communicative approach of language learning involves using it naturally as much as possible and doing so immediately. Studying is a minor part of what you should really be doing. What you should really be doing is speaking the language naturally. And no, you don’t have to fly to the country to do this!
First, see if you can meet up in person to practice your language. This is a powerful way to make a language a truly natural part of your social calendar and life. Here are several ways I’ve been able to make this happen:
Find a group that meets to practice the language on meetup.com — they can be very active in some cities for particular languages! There are many other learners here, as well as friendly natives in many cases. Nobody will ever judge you as they understand what you’re going through.
Use Couchsurfing. This site is famous as a way for budget travelers to save money by sleeping on other people’s couches. While staying with natives abroad can be a great way to learn a language, traveling may not be possible for you right now, but that’s okay! Enter the site, sign up for a profile and attend the meetings that occur regularly in cities, perhaps including your home town. It’s possible a native is passing through. But even better than this is to go to the Couchsurf page and only select your home city and your target language among search criteria. You’ll be very surprised to see how many open minded people who speak the language fluently or as natives live just around the corner! Message them and invite them out for coffee.
Depending on who you know, you may be able to meet up with family members or friends who speak the language. They’ll certainly be willing to help you practice! But otherwise be sure to ask in your local community: reading clubs, churches, sports clubs, classmates, work colleagues etc. You may be surprised to see that someone there speaks your language and would love to help out!
J.D.’s note: I’ve been learning Spanish for two months now. Over the past two weeks, I’ve begun to practice my new language skills with friends and strangers. One of my favorite interactions was with the gas station attendant, who patiently listened to my poor Spanish and offered corrections with a smile. It was awesome.
If you live in any major city you will find natives and fluent speakers of most languages if you look hard enough. They are definitely there! If you’re really stuck, or live too far from such cities, there’s another option: online (Skype-based) conversation!
There are many sites that you can use to find someone who actually wants to learn English who you can help, while they teach you their language. My own website, for example, has a forum section where plenty of people post the combination they are looking to exchange and many are finding a conversation exchange!
Other sites that can help include Livemocha and Busuu. These actually have paid course aspects that I really don’t recommend to people, but their social connections to find native speakers are great and free!
Be Imaginative, Confident and Let the Conversations Flow!
So you’ve got the basics, found someone to speak to, and decided to put your excuses aside and attempt to enjoy the experience. There’s still something missing though — what do you talk about when you’ve learned so little?
This is actually much easier than people think. A few weeks into learning languages I can have dozens of conversations, and it’s because I try to use my imagination (no, I don’t talk about the weather), try to be charming to balance out any minor slip-ups I’m making or simply laugh at them as not a big deal, and listen to the other person.
If you’re worried that you won’t be interesting enough for the other person, it’s important to realize that sometimes to be interesting you have to be interested. Being a good listener will have the other person appreciate your company all the more, and with time you will be saying more and more.
I discuss many other aspects of how to get into this flow of imaginatively in initial stages in a conversation on my blog and summarize my favorite tricks in this video.
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As complicated as it seems, when you let go of your hang-ups then you may discover that you had the ability to speak all along, as my friend Geraldine showed me by speaking in Spanish all evening the first time she tried.
Rather than being a genius and needing to perform advanced grammatical calculations, to really speak a language you have to actually learn to stop thinking so much, learn enough to say something first, let go of your ego, make a few mistakes and just let conversations flow!
No credit cards or wads of cash are necessary for this.
Give it a try — with enough practice you will improve so quickly that soon you’ll start to wonder if you really couldn’t speak the language before!
J.D.’s note: This is one of my favorite GRS guest posts ever, probably because I’ve been so into learning Spanish lately. But it’s also because Benny is awesome. He and I met and chatted briefly in June, and then he spent an hour with my by Skype, answering my questions about travel and language learning. He’s a warm, funny guy, and genuinely wants to help others learn. I think that’s awesome!
Now let’s take a look at the top mortgage lenders in New York, based on overall loan volume produced last year.
The state of New York is unique in that many of the top lenders are depository banks that actually hold the loans on their books.
Or at least offer checking and savings accounts to customers alongside mortgage offerings.
This counters the recent rise of nonbanks dominating the mortgage space, which has worried some market watchers.
Anyway, topping the list in 2021 (most recent year available) was JPMorgan Chase, which happens to be headquartered in New York City.
Top Mortgage Lenders in New York (Overall)
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Chase
$20.9 billion
2.
Wells Fargo
$19.1 billion
3.
Rocket Mortgage
$11.2 billion
4.
Citibank
$9.1 billion
5.
Bank of America
$7.5 billion
6.
Citizens Bank
$7.0 billion
7.
loanDepot
$6.1 billion
8.
UWM
$5.8 billion
9.
First Republic Bank
$4.8 billion
10.
TD Bank
$4.1 billion
Overall, the state of New York accounted for about 4% of the nation’s home loan volume in 2021, per HMDA data presented by Richey May.
And it’s not often the top mortgage lender in a particular state is also a native of the state, but this happens to be true in the case of New York.
Chase grabbed the top spot with $20.9 billion in home loan origination volume during the year, about 10% of their national total.
It was enough to beat out Wells Fargo, which despite all its dramas managed $19.1 billion in residential mortgage volume.
Rocket Mortgage, the nation’s overall top mortgage lender, took third place with $11.2 billion, nearly half of Chase’s volume.
Fourth place also belonged to New York-based company, Citibank, which doled out $9.1 billion in home loans last year.
Bank of America took fifth with $7.5 billion in origination volume, solidifying the depositories’ dominance in the mortgage space in NY.
Citizens Bank, loanDepot, United Wholesale Mortgage, First Republic Bank, and TD Bank rounded out the top 10.
That means seven of the 10 largest mortgage lenders in New York are banks as opposed to nonbanks.
It’s probably the only state in the nation where that’s the case.
Top New York Mortgage Lenders (for Home Buyers)
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Chase
$9.0 billion
2.
Wells Fargo
$8.8 billion
3.
Citibank
$5.0 billion
4.
Citizens Bank
$4.3 billion
5.
Bank of America
$3.3 billion
6.
UWM
$2.9 billion
7.
loanDepot
$2.8 billion
8.
First Republic Bank
$2.6 billion
9.
TD Bank
$2.0 billion
10.
Rocket Mortgage
$1.8 billion
Now let’s only consider home purchase loans to see how the list shakes out.
Unsurprisingly, banks held the top five spots when it came to serving home buyers in the Empire State.
Once again, Chase held the #1 spot with $9 billion funded, followed by Wells Fargo with a very close $8.8 billion, and Citi with a much lower $5 billion.
Citizens Bank and Bank of America completed the top five with $4.3 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively.
The bottom half of the top 10 included wholesale lender UWM, direct lender Rocket Mortgage, nonbank loanDepot, and two more banks, First Republic and TD Bank.
In other words, most New Yorkers turned to a big bank to get their home purchase loan, as opposed to a mortgage-only institution.
This is somewhat old school, but not a surprise given the state’s big banking presence.
Top Mortgage Lenders in New York (for Refinances)
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Chase
$11.4 billion
2.
Wells Fargo
$9.8 billion
3.
Rocket Mortgage
$9.2 billion
4.
Bank of America
$3.9 billion
5.
Citibank
$3.4 billion
6.
loanDepot
$3.2 billion
7.
New York Community Bank
$3.0 billion
8.
UWM
$2.8 billion
9.
Citizens Bank
$2.5 billion
10.
Mr. Cooper
$2.3 billion
What about mortgage refinances? Generally, direct lenders win in this category since price is often the biggest factor, not relationship.
Well, once again it was New York’s own Chase that led the way with $11.4 billion in refinance loans.
And Wells Fargo once again came in second, with a fairly close $9.8 billion funded during the year.
National #1 mortgage lender Rocket Mortgage claimed third with $9.2 billion, followed by BofA with a much lesser $3.9 billion and Citi with $3.4 billion.
As you can see, things really dropped off after the top three, with the others in the top 10 funding a whole lot less.
Others in the top 10 included loanDepot, New York Community Bank, UWM, Citizens Bank, and Mr. Cooper (formerly Nationstar).
No big surprises here other than the fact that the top dogs took home much of the business as they did in other categories. Typically there’s a bit more diversity.
Top Mortgage Lenders in New York City (NYC)
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Chase
$18.4 billion
2.
Wells Fargo
$16.6 billion
3.
Rocket Mortgage
$9.4 billion
4.
loanDepot
$7.8 billion
5.
Citibank
$7.2 billion
6.
Bank of America
$6.7 billion
7.
UWM
$5.6 billion
8.
Citizens Bank
$4.7 billion
9.
Newrez
$4.3 billion
10.
TD Bank
$4.0 billion
Top Mortgage Lenders in Albany
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
SEFCU
$774 million
2.
Homestead Funding
$767 million
3.
CCFCU Funding
$515 million
4.
Trustco Bank
$498 million
5.
Rocket Mortgage
$497 million
6.
Wells Fargo
$356 million
7.
KeyBank
$275 million
8.
Sunmark
$269 million
9.
Citizens Bank
$240 million
10.
Capital Communications CU
$229 million
Top Mortgage Lenders in Buffalo
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
M&T Bank
$822 million
2.
Rocket Mortgage
$707 million
3.
KeyBank
$688 million
4.
Premium Mortgage Corp.
$459 million
5.
Citizens Bank
$408 million
6.
Wells Fargo
$355 million
7.
Northwest Bank
$336 million
8.
UWM
$262 million
9.
Hunt Mortgage Corp.
$254 million
10.
1st Priority Mortgage
$224 million
Top Mortgage Lenders in Rochester
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
ESL FCU
$879 million
2.
Premium Mortgage Corp.
$648 million
3.
Wells Fargo
$504 million
4.
Home Town Funding
$473 million
5.
Rocket Mortgage
$415 million
6.
CNB Mortgage
$412 million
7.
Genesee Regional Bank
$341 million
8.
Citizens Bank
$281 million
9.
M&T Bank
$224 million
10.
The Lyons National Bank
$209 million
Are the Biggest Lenders Also New York’s Best Mortgage Lenders?
The words “top” and “best” can be used interchangeably, but not always.
In other words, one of the largest lenders on the list can also be the best. But they could also be simply mediocre, or worse.
As I always say, you don’t need to use the biggest bank or mortgage lender out there to get your home loan.
You might find a better fit in a local credit union, mortgage broker, regional bank, or community bank.
Of course, you could find that one of the bigger players is your preferred lender. And that’s fine.
Just put in the time to get a few quotes from different mortgage companies to ensure you’ve at least made some effort to comparison shop.
Studies prove that those who shop for their mortgage can save real money. So no matter who tells you such and such is the best, put in your own research too.
Last Updated on February 25, 2022 by Mark Ferguson
Many young adults and even kids have asked me if it is worth it to go to college to be a real estate agent. That is a very tricky question to answer, because the answer is different for different people. I went to college and then became a Realtor, but I did not use much of what I learned in college to sell houses. However, I am glad I went to college, because of what I learned in business. I also met a lot of great people and it helped me mature. If I had not gone to college I probably would not be as successful as I am now, but I also did not know for sure I wanted to be a real estate agent. In fact at that point in my life I knew I did not want to be a Realtor!
Why did I go to college and what did I major in?
My parents both went to college and my dad graduated with a chemistry degree. My sister who is ten years older than me went to college and eventually ended up with a doctorate in physics. It was expected that I would go to college and get a degree in something. In fact, it never even crossed my mind that I would not go to college. I was always good at math, but I was by no means a straight A student. I did not have the greatest attention span in school and I had a few embarrassing moments in class when I woke up from a day-dream realizing the teacher was repeatedly calling my name waiting for an answer to some unknown question.
Because I was good at math I thought civil engineering would be a good fit for me. I ended up being accepted to the University of Colorado in civil engineering and thoroughly hated it as soon as I started. I realized when I was in engineering school that I was really good at basic math and numbers, but I was not good at high level math like calculus or at least I did not have the attention span to learn it. I decided my freshman year that I did not want to spend the rest of my life doing high level math problems and transferred to business school.
I decided an emphasis in finance would be a good choice in business school, because I liked money (I really did not think things through when I was younger). Business school was a breeze after going through engineering. I took summer school to catch up after changing majors and ended up graduating in four years.
What did I learn as a business finance major?
Most of business school taught the common path to success. Get a corporate job, save your money, invest it in the stock market and retire when you are 65. If you wanted to be a cut above the rest you could work 80 hours a week, climb the corporate ladder and hope to become a CEO or high level corporate officer and make big money. The catch was you still had to work 80 hours a week even after you made it!
What I was taught in business school did not make a lot of sense, because the chances of making it big seemed so small and the rewards not that great in the corporate world. Then I took an entrepreneur class and I loved it! I was put in a group of five people and we had to do a computer simulation running a company. I took over the simulation and made all the decisions for our team as far as manufacturing, budget, marketing and basically everything. I loved it and I did not care that I was doing all the work for our team, because our team was number one in the class by a mile most of the year.
In the end we ended up being third because the simulation had a flaw. In the simulation if a company sold all of its inventory, all of its land and all of its manufacturing facilities, the stock skyrocketed. Basically a company sold all its assets, received a stockpile of cash and the stock price was suddenly worth ten times what the cash was worth even with no inventory, no manufacturing facilities and no way to make more money. I explained to the teacher (actually teacher’s assistant) why a company with no possible way to make money in the future should have stock value so high, but she did not understand. Even with the disappointment in not winning, I knew I loved running a business and I was good at it.
What did I end up doing after graduating?
After college I still did not know exactly what I wanted to do. I could not find a company that would let me be their CEO right off the bat and I did not have any ideas for starting a business. While I figured out what I should do, I moved back to my home town and worked part-time with my dad in real estate. I got my real estate license, helped him flip houses and 14 years later I am sure glad I made that choice.
I did not find success in real estate right away. In the beginning I treated it as a job and put in the hours without thinking much about what I was doing and why. When I started to think about being an agent as a business, planning my work and setting goals my career took off. Once I started to treat things as a business I started using my contacts from college and ended up hiring my college roommate as my team manager. I contacted my college and have thought about working with them and their real estate department. When I meet someone from my college it also creates an instant connection.
Although college did not directly teach me how to be a real estate agent, it helped me be successful in many ways.
I learned a lot about business and investing
I learned how little I wanted to be in the corporate world
I met a lot of very smart people and made many lifelong connections
I matured a lot before I started my career
As an alumni I have more contacts and better ability to network with others
Is it worth it to go to college to be a real estate agent?
Going to college or not is a huge life decision and one I cannot make for you. In order to make a decision like this please write out all your options, pros, cons and the costs. It will make it much easier to make the decision when everything is written out and you can see the benefits and down falls. Here are things to consider:
Do you love real estate and do you have any experience in it? If you have never been in the industry or around a real estate office you may not like it. Not everyone is cut out to be a real estate agent and some people may enjoy the corporate world or something else much more.
How much will each option cost? College is very expensive. I was lucky because my parents helped me pay for school and I went to an in-state college with lower tuition. Tuition was also much less 15 years ago than it is today. Real estate school is much cheaper and in most cases much faster to complete.
What are the licensing requirements in your state? Some states require a college degree and some are considering making it a requirement. Check what the requirements are in your state before you make a decision.
What type of real estate agent do you want to be? If you want to be a residential Realtor, college will not help you get a job. But if you want to be a commercial agent, a college degree will help you get a real estate job and be much more beneficial.
How mature are you? This is a hard thing to assess on yourself. We all think we are mature beyond our age, but most of us are delusional when we are young. Ask your parents, ask your family, ask your friends and anyone else to honestly asses how mature you are and if you are ready to start a career or not. If you are not ready to take a career serious, but you start anyway there is a good chance you will not have much success. You might end up blaming the lack of success on the career and not yourself. College may be a good thing for those that need more time (I did).
After you have answered these questions you may or may not start to get a clear idea of what is best for your situation. If you still do not know what to do, there is another option.
Can you go to college and start a real estate career?
You don’t have to pick being a real estate agent now or going to college and being one in four years. You can choose a hybrid option that may be the best choice for most people. Many colleges have a real estate program or at least some real estate classes. You can enroll in college, choose real estate as a minor (it is usually not a major option) or at least take real estate classes for your electives. I would suggest something business related as a major, because the accounting, economics and entrepreneurial classes will be huge benefits to any career.
Besides taking real estate classes you could also start looking for internships or part-time jobs immediately. Look for real estate offices who may need front desk help or any kind of help. Start learning the business from people in the business. This is also a great opportunity to see if you like the business. If you find the right company they might help you get your license and you may even decide you don’t need your degree. Or you might work all through college earning extra money and gaining experience. You might also realize you hate real estate and you had better go to college to get a degree for another line of work.
Conclusion
There is no right answer when it comes to going to college and real estate. I am glad I went to college, but I also did not know what I wanted to do after high school. If you know you want to be an agent and nothing else, maybe you don’t need college. Maybe you can spend a year getting your license and working in a real estate office to make sure it is the right career for you. If it is the right career you just saved a lot of money and time! If you aren’t sure about real estate or want the college experience try the hybrid approach and get as involved as you can in real estate while going to school.
Founded in 1902, Trustco Bank began in Schenectady, New York, amid the Industrial Revolution and enjoyed close ties to General Electric. In the decades since, Trustco has garnered a reputation for performance and entered the 21st century with expansion in mind. Now based in Glenville, New York, the bank has 148 branches located across Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, […]
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Do you know how to track real estate data and how to use it to make better business decisions? If not, you wonât want to miss todayâs podcast with Shawn Anderson and Jon Parker of Anderson Hicks Group. These guys are masters of data collection and data analysis, two skills that every agent needs in a shifting market. Listen and learn where to start with data collection and how to effectively utilize the data you collect to drive stronger sales.