My purpose has been to make a positive impact on people’s lives—a principle that led me to real estate. But the road actually started with a career in law enforcement.

 

After a wonderful childhood—riding bikes and playing with my friends for hours—I wanted to make a difference, so I joined the Navy. After 4 years in the service, I became a deputy sheriff, eventually working my way up to sergeant, serving the people of Berkeley County, WV.

 

Things changed when I saw a TV show about a club for adolescents run by police officers. That show inspired me to open a boxing gym for kids. With the help of two other deputies and many donations, I made it happen—the kids loved it! The gym opened every day after school and the kids would spend most of their evenings there. As it grew, we organized a cheerleading team for the girls, added arcade games donated by a local business, and built a skate park—on the condition that the kids would help and keep it clean.

 

Our gym became more than a place to work out; it was a place of education. To be a member, the kids had to bring us their report cards and if they needed help, we helped. We had over 150 members. The idea was they can’t be friends with deputies and then go against everything they stand for.

 

The impact was undeniable: crime rates dropped, and word spread. The governor himself travelled to Martinsburg to visit the gym and as a result awarded me the Governor’s Commendation Award. In addition to the gym, I still had to maintain my responsibilities as a deputy. One of the many cases I worked included rescuing a 7-year-old girl who had been kidnapped and sexually assaulted and left on the side of the road. I found the man responsible, got him to confess, and put him in prison for life. That case resulted in me being awarded officer of the year.

 

I didn’t expect my job as a deputy to lead me into teaching, but word of my work reached a local technical school, which then invited me to develop a criminal justice program for high school students. I saw an opportunity to make an even bigger difference so I said yes. I created a 2-year program covering a wide range of topics—practicing police procedures like arrests, working crime scenes (which I designed for my students), and writing police reports. I even built a courtroom for mock trials, where students played the roles of attorneys. This eventually led them to having mock trials in real courtrooms in front of real-life judges. Many of my students went on to become police officers or attorneys.

 

In 2017, I got my real estate license and began balancing teaching with being a REALTOR®. In addition, I started a house-flipping company, which took off immediately. But between teaching, running a company, and real estate, something had to give. I retired from teaching in 2021, after 22 years of loving the job, and brought my brother in to help run the flipping company. Since then, I’ve been a full-time realtor.

 

I have 3 children—Jackie, Jacob, and Jordan—who are now grown. I love spending quality time with my family which now includes 3 grandchildren with a fourth on the way. Looking back, I’m proud of my career. I learned that teaching is about caring for students and expecting the best from them. I set high expectations, and they met them—because someone believed they could. But I also held myself to their expectations, showing up for their events and offering the best mentorship I could. That accountability and commitment to service still drive me today, now in real estate.

 

When you work with me, you’re not dealing with a boy, you’re working with a man who takes responsibility, follows through, and keeps his word. I was trained to make life-or-death decisions on the spot and execute them immediately. In real estate, I bring that same level of focus and responsibility. My clients never have to worry about deals falling apart or issues being ignored—I take care of everything.

 

I go above and beyond because I genuinely care about my clients’ happiness. Homeownership is harder than it was 50 years ago, but I’m determined to help middle-class Americans own homes again. I specialize in renovating low-cost properties into high-quality homes at significantly lower prices, saving my clients thousands. I also help buyers with low credit or tight budgets secure beautiful homes within their means. This dedication has earned me the title of #1 agent in my county for customer satisfaction based on client reviews. Call me anytime to discuss your real estate goals––I’m always available and I actually answer my phone!

 

Sincerely,

 

John Vanorsdale

REALTOR® / Sales Agent  
Direct Call/Text (304) 279-5646

johnvanorsdale@outlook.com

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