George, the Tabloid Story
If you’ve clicked around many websites you know that there’s typically a blurb about the main character — in this case, me. I apologize, but I need to tell you I hate writing this part almost as much as getting in front of a group of people to speak. Nevertheless, I do understand that it makes sense for you to know something about the person you might do business with so here goes…
I’m Baltimore born and bred — in fact, I was seven when the Orioles arrived here from St. Louis and I vividly remember watching Alan Ameche and the Colts on a black and white TV as he scored the game-winning touchdown in the “greatest game ever played.”
On a personal note, I’m the first person in my family to be a part of a “blended family” — you know — your kids, my kids, step kids — the whole tragic mess. However, despite much pain and heartache, I am presently married to a wonderful person and together we continue to work at getting it right with family relationships. In fact, people who know me well will quickly tell you I don’t deserve to be with Charlotte my current wife — and they’re right. I’m blessed and because of this special blessing, I have a soft spot in my heart for any family struggling to hold it together. In fact, we periodically show up at pre-marital workshops as the poster-people for how not to do marriage so that new couples get a fighting chance at making it work.
My first experience in real estate began when I was eleven as my parents discovered my brothers and I were cheap labor to work on my mother’s childhood home in Hampden. That was way before Hampden was cool. Throughout the years I found I had a natural interest in real estate transactions and was often attracted to conversations, articles, and opportunities that shed new light and insight on how they work. In 1996, I married Charlotte who is also experienced in real estate investing. Our combined interest afforded us the chance to explore and develop this avocation and now it's a full-time business.
Over the years I’ve owned and operated several businesses and I’ve found when hiring people there’s no substitute for interest and passion. If a person was particularly interested in his or her work and had a passion for doing it well I could be pretty sure he or she would do a great job. That’s why I work in real estate. It’s been a lifelong interest and I’m passionate about doing things on time — right the first time.
Goals and Aspirations
Money is important but the most important things to me are time and experiences. I want more time and more experiences with my wife, my family, and my friends. I’ve come to understand that each day is a gift and I don’t want to take one day for granted.
Today, one of my biggest goals is to learn gratitude and contentment. As I reflect on my life I see these big energy drains where I’ve gotten myself all twisted up over some issue that I'd magnify and distort only to realize it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. However, I’m starting to get some insight into this folly and I’m learning ever so slowly to be appreciative of things that used to drive me crazy. I’m still very much a work in progress but I’m more excited about the process and less insistent about getting my way in everything.
Professional Thoughts and Comments
Professionally, I love to learn. I regularly attend continuing education workshops to stay abreast of the changes in real estate laws and procedures. I like problem-solving and particularly enjoy working with people who are wrestling with something where my interests and experiences can help them get to a better place.
Much of my career has been centered in some sort of customer service. I like meeting people’s expectations — it’s an important fulfillment factor in my work. Like you I am frustrated when I call some company and need to press ten buttons before I get to ask my questions. That’s why most of the time you’ll reach me directly when you call. If you email me you can expect a response by the end of the day or first thing in the morning.
I live by the principle of not making short-term decisions that compromise long term goals. If I work with you I will stand for you and what is in your best interest because I know your long term respect and appreciation is a far greater reward than the momentary gain I might realize tomorrow from compromising your needs today.