Member Testimonials
Our members, vendors, and volunteers are what make CTREIA the amazing association that it is today. Here are a few testimonials from some of our members and vendors.
Do you have a testimonial? We'd love to hear it. Click here to contact us and submit your testimonial.
Last October, I bought a $30,000 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo in Hartford that is rented for $675 a month. I put down $7,000 and get owner financing for the rest at 4% interest, 30 year amortization, 3 1/2 year balloon. This condo cash flows $350 per month after PITI. The cash on cash return is over 50%.
I found the property on Craigslist. The owner owned the entire 6 units building free and clear. She wanted to sell it for only $190k. I calculated the monthly positive cash flow to be $2,000 a month. She asked for 20% down, which I have. The negotiation broke down over the balloon payment. She wanted the balloon payment in 3 and a half years. I asked for 7 years. My concern was that the credit environment won't improve enough for me to do a refinance in 3 and 1/2 years.
I therefore chose to buy only one unit. The cash on cash return is great. I feel more confident now. The knowledge I gained through the coaching class enabled me to do this deal. I'd recommend the CT REIA coaching course to everyone. Thanks.
Wai
CT REIA Team Coaching Student
Wow. I'm so impressed with this organization. I attended my first meeting on July 16th, with the anticipation of maybe 50 or so people in attendance. I'm guessing there was at least 300. Standing room only. Where have I been? I've been too busy attending those high priced seminars. I made several very good contacts, the vendors were very helpful, the speaker had a wealth of information and the staff was very helpful with my membership. If you have not joined, what are you waiting for? Your future is at risk.
Carrie Cyr
CT REIA Member
I attended my first CT REIA meeting 3 1/2 years ago and I have seen the likes of CT Homes, the Flip this House guys and many others that have moved on to the likes that I wanted to go. Time was a serious issue for me as I was between jobs, and kids and family seems to take up all of my spare time. However after attending several CT REIA meetings I found that I really could make the time. Today I maintain a part-time job, my wife got involved and we now have a total of 18 apartments that we have updated and improved our neighborhood. I see CT REIA as helping change our city landscape. We are providing better housing in our city one neighborhood at a time.
N. Garcia
CT REIA Member
My husband and I recently decided to enter the exciting field of Real Estate Investing. Having stumbled upon one of CT REIA’s monthly meeting notices online, we attended. It didn’t take us long to realize the value of the organization.
Filled with assorted events (Rehabbed Property walk thrus, Women Real Estate Investors Group dinners), regular meetings (Deal or No Deal, Apartment Investing, Tax Reduction Strategies), teleseminars (How to buy a house for the price of a car) and weekend workshops (Wholesale and Pre-Foreclosure and the Annual Investor’s Retreat), I can’t imagine trying to learn the ins and outs of this industry without them.
The amount of time they’ve saved us is invaluable and the networking opportunities afforded us priceless. (We met our money lender and window supplier at a monthly meeting.) Imagine being in a room with a bunch of like minded folks at all stages of their business development; it’s truly energizing. The caliber of speakers is impressive as well (Than Merrill from Flip This House, Lou Brown and Robyn Thompson both nationally known investors) and the content is real.
Having worked with numerous Associations and Boards over the years I can attest to the quality of leadership at CT REIA. Their team of staff and volunteers are ready, willing and able. Investors themselves, you can tell they love the business. They continually strive to bring the CT REIA members the content/programs they need. If you’re curious about the industry, there’s no better place to learn. If you’re serious about the business, membership is a must. It’s a bargain at twice the price!
Linda & Dave Packard
Davlin Homes. Guilford, CT
I was on the edge of my seat during the CT REIA Landlording Seminar. I've been in the landlording business for over ten years and what I learned in one night on making Landlord-Tenant laws work in my favor will improve my business and save me a lot of money and headaches down the road. I would recommend this class to all new and experienced landlords.
Dawn Zukowski
Turtle Bay Properties, LLC
We were both very impressed with your meeting. Really got a lot of good stuff from just going there once. I will do our membership online.
It's a start for us to reinvent. We thought this would give us a second stream of income.
Carol
Milford, CT
WDI Properties, LLC closed on a single family house in Milford, in May of 2009. We completely gutted the interior, added a dormer and full bath upstairs, new kitchen, totally remodeled the interior and vinyl sided the exterior. The house sold in five weeks for full asking price. Many of CT REIA's seminars provided insight and direction on how to structure a rehab, the importance of curb appeal and the importance of building a solid resource team. Furthermore, the direction and contacts provide by CT REIA assisted in developing the foundation of our business and a strong outlook for 2010.
Bill Ifkovic
CT REIA Member
This is my 5th CT REIA Trade Show. For my money, CT REIA is the best use of my advertising dollar for increasing sales. A True - Riffle Approach to increase profits. Dollars well spent. Work smart, not hard. Join CT REIA.
George S.
Trade Show Vendor
So many relevant, in-depth programs for all levels of investors. Also a format that makes networking easy, in helping to identify the different types of investors, and the geographic areas they cover.
Joan Moore
CT REIA Member from MA
Since joining CT REIA in 2004, 10% of my business comes from CT REIA. The staff and volunteers are a joy to work with. My favorite part of CT REIA is the fact that the members and volunteers are so eager to share their experiences and answer any and all of my questions.
Martin T.
CT REIA Vendor
The weekend events were motivating, inspiring, educational and entertaining. Kudos to staff, guest speakers and participants.
Michael C.
CT REIA Member
It was a great experience for me at the 2 days seminars. I want to thank you very much for what you did for me. I was very glad to have met you in person. I am motivated, energized, and ready to move to the next level. That was my best week-end birthday ever. I plan to attend future meetings, and get more educated. I am starting to do some of the prep work to get educated, and work on my networking. Thank you. You are a blessing inspiration.
Jean-P
A reliable independent partner in business
Just wanted to thank you for connecting me up with Joe here in Groton. I appreciate the way you keep me in mind when you meet contacts in my area. God bless.
Nathanael Stover
CT REIA Member
As a seasoned real estate investor of 22+ years I can't say enough about this organization. Since I joined 10 months ago it has motivated me to start buying again and I love this business more now than I ever did. I would highly recommend that you attend everything you can.
Diana Adams
CT REIA Member
I just wanted to say I was very impressed by this group. I thought you were all great. I signed up that night to be a member. I look forward to seeing everyone again at some of the seminars and training events. Thanks again.
Jim Waddell
CT REIA Member
Thanks again for sharing some of your time with me today. Every time I'm in a meeting with you I receive new and extremely valuable information that is going to help my business tremendously. You have an incredible amount of knowledge and I'm truly grateful that you share it. I look forward to continuing my education with you. I'm excited about doing business with you in the future.
Jamie Ochman
CT REIA Member
