Kyle Gresh

Current Position: Certified General Appraiser

Story Last Updated: Summer 2024

All of GMercyU’s professors take the time to truly know who I am, understand what I need to succeed, and provide guidance towards my career goals.

When I began high school, I understood the importance of taking advantage of every available opportunity to invest in my future. This is why I chose to work hard and take Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment classes. By taking Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment classes through GMercyU, I was able to start college with 15 credits, allowing me to take additional classes to diversify my education.

I really liked the idea of Dual Enrollment classes because the grade I received in the class also counted for college credit and would be the grade on my transcript. In addition, I liked the extra time that was spent on the subjects being taught on an extended high school calendar. This extra time allowed me to fully understand the topics I was studying so that I was prepared for the next level when I began college.

The two Dual Enrollment classes offered at William Tennent High School were accounting and marketing. My teachers were wonderful and through their guidance, I was able to remember the information two years later when I took the next level of courses at GMercyU.

The Dual Enrollment experience allowed me to form a strong basis in accounting basics and propelled me to be one of the top accounting students in my class.

I chose to attend Gwynedd Mercy University for a number of reasons. The first reason was the close proximity to my home. I knew I wanted to attend a recognized school while commuting to college. The second reason I chose to attend GMercyU is because the generous scholarship that I was offered made the cost of college affordable. A third reason is because I was told by my brother, a previous GMercyU business graduate, along with my high school teachers, that GMercyU had a wonderful business program - a definite plus.

The most important reason I chose to attend GMercyU is because of the feeling of home that I experience when I am here.

GMercyU’s campus provides a safe, secure, and friendly atmosphere for learning. Since GMercyU is a smaller school, I am able to connect with my classmates easily and make lasting friendships. Additionally, I enjoy going to class each day and interacting with my professors because they all know who I am and are concerned with my well-being. All of GMercyU’s professors take the time to truly know who I am, understand what I need to succeed, and provide guidance towards my career goals.

My future career goal is to become a Generally Certified Real Estate Appraiser. Although GMercyU doesn't offer a specific degree in real estate, GMercyU provides other opportunities that satisfy my needs. To become a real estate appraiser apprentice, I need a business degree, in addition to real estate board certified classes and hands-on experience. GMercyU gave me hands-on experience by providing accessibility to an internship at an appraisal company that has extended my knowledge in the real estate field far beyond what I could have learned through a normal education. During the internship, I was able to apply the knowledge from my accounting based business degree, while learning the daily duties of an appraiser.

Aside from my experiences in the School of Business, I am also as a Griffin Ambassador and a member of the Mercy Honor Society, Sigma Phi Sigma. These experiences have given me the opportunity to interact with people from different majors that I may not have met otherwise and meet people from various parts of the community. If I had to choose my university all over again, I would definitely choose Gwynedd Mercy University.

I have been on a pretty crazy and exciting ride in life since I graduated from Gwynedd Mercy University. After graduation, I spent all of my free time continuing my studies to earn my license as a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser int he state of Pennsylvania in late 2019. Shortly after earnng my certification, COVID-19 struck the world, interest rates dropped, and we experienced a crazy run in the real estate appraisal industry. As of today, I have appraised everything from a single-family home to a dog salon to a 48-unit apartment building. 

During my run as a real estate appraiser, I have continued my studies in my pursuit of an MAI degree which is the highest designation you can earn in the real estate appraisal industry. I have recently received the news that I have passed the written portion of this designation and hope to have my designation soon. 

But, I haven't only been working as a real estate appraiser. In early 2019, I tried my luck at buying investment properties. Sadly, the first property did not go well. I was ripped off my two contractors and after talking to the police, there was nothing I could do about it. After two long years of owning this property and calling in favors with some family members, I was able to finish renovating the property and break even financially. But I wasn't going to let this unfortunate first experience deter my dreams of owning investment properties.

Durng this time, I talked to every person I met as a real estate appriaser, from investors to contractors to real estate agents. I learned everything I could and took notes along the way. Then, in 2023, I had another opportunity to buy an investment property. I took the risk and it has started to pay off. 

In my pursuit of knowledge, I learned that there are many different ways to rent real estate. The one that I determined was best for me was working with a company that helped teach financial responsibility. This company works with underprivileged people that have fallen on hard times and need assistance to get back on their feet and build themselves up financially. Not only was I able to make a little bit of money, but I also felt that I was continuing to do good for my community by providing housing to the less fortunate. 

In June of 2024, I settled on my second property. I will be performing extensive renovations to this property and also renting it through the same company. My hope is to continue my efforts of gaining rental properties, build wealth, help my community, and i hope to one day be able to give back.