Wanna Know Why I REALLY Got In This Business? For REAL? *click here*

I remember like it was yesterday, really do. It was 1978 and I was a very loud, very skinny and very cute little 5 year old boy.

We lived in Sinton, Texas about a million miles south of Houston. I remember our acres and acres of corn fields, billy goats and crazy ass dogs. We "lived in the country" as they say. We'd stay up all night laying out on our huge balcony staring at the stars and telling stories. I have fond memories from those days. Our home, at the time, was enormous. Everything is bigger when you're small and excited about the world.

My dad loved real estate. He went wild at the notion of building homes and flipping them. On the same street he built 2 other homes, leased them out and resold them for a profit. I remember thinking my dad was the biggest business man in Texas.. a true pioneer in home selling. He went on to build/flip and build again a few more times. My dad got excited about the opportunity to find the next deal.

Here's a few pic's of my old man:

The picture above was taken in 1986. That's me laughing on the bottom. Take note.. the fro.

Fast forward to 2002 and you'll understand where things change. My Dad abruptly passed away and my mother was left to find life on her own for the first time in 35 years.

In 2003, one year before I got licensed, my mom sold our family home for 250k. She should have sold it for about 300k. in 2006 it would have sold for about 400k. Even before getting licensed I knew the home was worth much more than what she was "letting it go for."

Something burning inside me told me to call our listing agent (would love to mention).  I called and said.. I'm calling about the house on XXX XXXX street.. can you tell me more? Here's exactly what the listing agent said:

"Well, this lady's husband died and she REALLY needs to unload this thing! If you're serious, I can show you this property!!!"

This very stupid Realtor violated every ounce of loyalty she had to my mother. I didn't even need to know about the REALTOR Code Of Ethicsto know that. My mother wasn't financially desperate, but emotionally was. This listing agent compromised the sale of my mother's property, her equity and her position by freely advertising my mothers postion. She showed me the cards over the phone and she hadn't even freaking met me.

Today I know better.

My mom signed a contract and she agreed to a purchase price and to some... she should have made the right decsion if she wanted to maximize profits. But sometimes, even on planet Earth, you should be able to rely on professionals to help steer you with good intentions, and during that painful time my mother was easily pushed into a corner.

So that's what motivated me to get into this business.