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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 19, 2024 13 and a 13-year tax break the developer says will save up to $900,000. These apartments are expected to begin renting around the middle of next year. "I like New Britain because good things are happening there," Opuszynski said. "I think they have good leadership. I think they have good incentives for people who want to economically expand. And there's support there. Some other places, you either don't get support, you are not wanted, or they are neutral to it." Opuszynski may be tackling bigger deals these days, but he isn't shying away from smaller-scale invest- ments. He had five single-family "flips" in the works in early August. He and his team are always on the hunt for a bargain, including fore- closed or abandoned properties. "We have gotten properties for almost nothing — many, many times," Opuszynski said. "Nobody brings those to you. You have to go out and get those." What's coming With interest rates falling, Opuszynski predicts a busy year ahead. He hopes to hire up to three new agents. He's told his staff to reexamine deals that didn't quite pencil out earlier in the year. "If the rates continue to drop, more fruit will shake loose," Opuszynski said. With new staff and hungry inves- tors, Opuszynski and Stein said they want to broaden their portfolio and business deeper into Fairfield County, including Stamford, as well as New London and Groton. "Ultimately, our goal is to expand into western Massachusetts and Rhode Island," Stein said. "Our five- year plan is, we want market share as far as Westerly, Rhode Island, up to the Springfield, Westfield area, and maybe a little beyond to Hadley as well." Alex Opuszynski (left) and Andrew Stein lead New Haven-based brokerage firm Vanguard Private Client Group. 24_006353_Hartford_Buisness_Journal_AUG Mod: July 22, 2024 9:19 AM Print: 07/31/24 page 1 v2.5 π FACILITY FUNDAMENTALS SHIPS TODAY ORDER BY 6 PM FOR SAME DAY SHIPPING 1-800-295-5510 uline.com Member FDIC westfieldbank.com Local knowledge. Local decisions. Local service. Your trusted local team—with significant lending capability. Westfield Bank is investing in our region's economy with millions to lend to businesses like yours. As a local bank, we know this market. We also know the importance of making decisions and serving our customers right here. Cash flow Asset purchase Facility purchase/ construction/expansion And more Your banking relationship is critical to your success, so we aim to make your decision an easy one. Let's grow together. Go to westfieldbank.com/ business/commercial-lending or call 860.838.3766. WB Commercial Lending