There's not much to tell, really.
It was the summer of 1985. Back then, obtaining a real estate licence was a six week course. A guy by the name of Roy Cockburn was my instructor. I was about to turn 21 and on not much more than a whim, I found myself in Roy's class.
A lot has changed in the last two dozen years, not only in the Real Estate Industry, but for me as well. My first nine years in the business were spent learning the intricacies of my craft, which is a less embarrassing way of telling you that I didn't sell many homes.
What I did learn during my time as a novice, was "How To" and "How Not To" use real estate as an investment. That coupled with a true understanding of the technical side of the business, laid a strong Real Estate foundation for me. By that time my proficiencies also included a full working knowledge of the nuts and bolts of contracts, creative and conventional financing, land development, commercial building and of course, the bits and pieces that go together to make these structures we call homes.
In 1994, I moved to Eastern Ontario from the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), also known as "The Center Of The Universe". (It only took me a couple of years to get that out of my system, but now I'm quite comfortable with the, "Love Hate Relationship" we all enjoy with Toronto.) After rolling my quarters to pay for the U-Haul, I arrived here with $13.58 (I still have the receipt from the instant teller - BMO HuntClub & Bank) and two months rent paid. The only person I knew was Andrew Bryson, the high school friend I came here with.
Fast forward 15 years: I live in Ottawa South with my partner Jan. We have four awesome kids between us, Max, Sam, Jake and Alex. We are currently looking for that perfect house on that perfect lot in Alta Vista.
I am proud to share with you, that since making the GOA (Greater Ottawa Area) my home, I have helped over 1500 families buy or sell their homes, totaling over $300 million. I have also, through my development partnership, "Thompson & Wellstein" developed, built, leased and sold two plazas, a Retirement Subdivision, and a Residential/Commercial Condominium Project that helped revitalize Downtown Kemptville.
Now I'm applying to be YOUR REALTOR