After 13 years of a Marketing Consulting practice in the Pacific Northwest, my wife found her perfect job at UC Berkeley in 2000, and I decided to put my customer service consulting skills to work in real estate.  I love this business because it's all about helping people. 

I love to work with first time buyers because it's so important to buy that first home to start building equity and take advantage of the immediate tax savings and long-term appreciation, even if it's not the "dream" house.  What's important is getting started and putting a stop to lighting a match to rent money with no tax benefits and giving the landlord all the appreciation.  Here in mid-2009 I don't know if we will ever again find such an attractive combination of low home prices AND low mortgage rates.  

I love to work with people who are relocating because I've done that myself several times.  I've experienced the cross-country, corporate-paid professional move and the rent a truck, hire a couple of guys and do it yourself version and several in between.  I moved from Chicago to Walnut Creek in 1975   (Wish I still owned that house – bought it for $65K and sold it two years later for $100K - even today $500K+?). 

Altogether I've bought seven homes and sold six, and was disappointed with the service I received from real estate agents in all but two of those transactions.  One of those Realtors is now the broker/owner here at Windermere Bay Area Properties.  I knew I could do a better job than the others and that's one thing that turned me in to a Realtor. Treat people like you'd like to be treated yourself.  Pretty simple, but it doesn't always happen. I'm pleased my clients call me the "no pressure" Realtor.  I'm here for advice and experience, but you make all the decisions. 

With no kids at home, three years ago we "downsized" to a 2-Bedroom townhouse we just love, so I know what that's like, too.

I love to work with people at whatever their stage in life.  The big joy for me is seeing someone get in to the "right" house for them.  It's a privilege to play a small part in that transaction.