I was coasting, enjoying life as it passed me by.  But an unexpected event not only showed me what I was missing but taught me a valuable lesson along the way.

The moment I found out I was going to be a father, everything changed.  Up to that point, I’d been following the next exciting thing.  I’d moved across the country, gone wine harvesting in Australia, and lately I was helping a friend run a startup.

When I first went to work at her company, everything was exciting and new.  She had a great product, a nutrition bar, and it was something I believed in and wanted to share with the world.  Unfortunately, things had been bumpy.  More than bumpy, they’d been downright terrifying with irregular paychecks and fluctuating income.

After hearing that my son was on the way, I looked around at my life and started to notice how unprepared I was.  I was scared and didn’t know what to do, to be who I needed to be, in order to support this entirely dependent, new baby boy.  I laid awake at night, wondering how was I going to do this?  Right before I found out he was going to be born, things at the company changed for the better, with a big investment. I finally started to have a regular paycheck for the first time in a long time.

I hoped that I’d finally figured everything out, that I was the responsible adult, that I could do this after all.  With these hopes, I thought things would be different this time and the company would take off, even though it had been 2 ½ years of ups and downs.  In the months after, everything went downhill fast.  That was the only influx of cash the company was going to get, and I could see the writing on the wall, we were all going to be out of a job in the new year.  The company let go of all employees except myself over the next six months.  In those days, thinking about my son Phoenix, I realized I needed to make a change. I needed to do something drastic, to be who he needed me to be.

I quit my job.  Just like that, I knew there was no future for me there.  Even though I was heartbroken to give up on that dream, and seeing such a great business struggle, it wasn’t about me anymore.  The next few months were some of the scariest of my life, as I took that huge leap into the great unknown.  I didn’t have a job lined up, and even though I applied for something temporary to no avail, I knew what I was going to do.

I was going to be a REALTOR®.  Everyone around me thought I was insane to study and prepare for this entirely do it yourself job, especially with my young son depending on my income.  But each day when I ate my second peanut butter and banana sandwich while poring over textbooks and rocking him in his bouncy chair, I felt a renewed determination.  That chubby smiling face looking up at me, drool dripping onto his onesie, just lit the fire under me to get it done.

Within six months of leaving that job, my life was completely different, unrecognizable to the man I was the year before when my son was just a soon-to-be-happening event.  I became a licensed REALTOR® and found the greatest motivator in life, family.  We’re all working for our families after all, to provide them safety and comfort.  We want what’s best for those who rely on us, and those we love unconditionally.

Buying a home is stressful, whether it’s your first or your fifth.  I know how stressful it can be and I know what those tough decisions feel like.  That’s why I focus on providing my clients a smooth process, simplifying things along the way, and educating them on all of their options.  I work hard to maintain constant communication with all involved parties throughout the process, and to do so amicably, minimizing stress and tension.  Along the way, I will point out potential dealbreakers in a property, saving you time and money.  That’s because I’m invested in my clients and their long-term success.  Our relationship matters to me and I make sure to always look out for your interest.  San Diego is my home and I love sharing it with others, showing them all there is to enjoy.  After the sale is over, I’ll still be there because I want to see you succeed, and reach your goals, growing wealth for years to come through real estate.