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If youve ever wondered what it would be like to start a career as a real estate agent, Michael Novia, at Coldwell Banker in New Canaan, would be a good man to ask. He got his brokers license in 2010, not the best of times in real estate, and has discovered that there is a surprisingly long learning curve. Im doing a lot of studying, says Novia. Im letting it come to me.
Study and research is something that comes easily to Novia. In his previous life, he was a middle school English and history teacher in Westport before moving to Derby as principal of the High School. With a doctorate in educational administration from Columbia University, Novia takes an analytical approach to real estate. He spends hours on the computer taking virtual tours of properties on the market so that he can provide good service to clients.
Novia is not a total newcomer to real estate. He used to buy and flip houses. My father-in-law had a small real estate business and I sold for him on the side, he says. When I told him I wanted to go into real estate full-time, he told me to go to Coldwell Banker because they were on the cutting edge of technology.
Technology is something that Novia both appreciates and fears. As a teacher, he was frustrated by the fact that kids spent hours playing with their handheld devices in class. That is a battle that wont be won, he says, ruefully. He worries that children are missing out as they interact less and less with books, paper and writing. The printing press, the radio, television, these were all supposed to create more educated people, he says, and hes not optimistic about the effects of technology on early education.
One of the things Novia likes best about his new job is getting to know New Canaan. My wife and I have lived in town for 15 years, he says, But I never had time to appreciate how much this town has to offer. He points out that taxes in New Canaan are surprisingly low compared to neighboring towns. Michael Novia understands that breaking into the market is going to take some time, but he's optimistic. "I'm in for the long haul," he says.
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