I think I own almost every Bonnie Raitt album she has ever produced. I bought my first one back in 1974 when I was a student at UC Santa Barbara, the old black licorice LP type. I am now patiently waiting for her latest release, which I pre-ordered on iTunes and will play on my iPod or stream to my stereo via Apple TV. Yes, times (technologies) have changed!
So, what does Bon
nie Raitt have to do with Real Estate? Nothing, really, other than maybe a reminder that in this wonderful and crazy real estate industry in which we work, we need synergy between work and play. Music is partly how I gain that synergy. The other way is just living in my beautiful little Town of Ridgway, Colorado in Ouray County, at the foot of the spectacular San Juan Mountains.
These mountains are my backyard and playground. My busy and sometimes stressful days at work are balanced by all kinds of outdoor play, like hiking the Ouray Trails, downhill skiing in Telluride, mountain biking on the new, extensive RAT trails, walkng my dog along the Uncompahgre River Walkway, jogging down dirt 
roads with amazing views above and below, kayaking in the Ridgway State Park Reservoir, or cross country skiing along the rim of the incredible Black Canyon of the Gunnison near Montrose.
When I'm not outdoors, I get to enjoy the diversity and creativity of Ridgway's residents. We have artists and craftsmen, musicians, weavers, poets, writers, sculpters, dancers, yogis, historians, lecturers, fitness trainers, cowboys, rod
eos, ballet, legitimate theater, free summer concerts in the park, naturopaths, a brewery and 4 marijuana dispensaries. Hey, whatever you need for balance in your life, we got it!
Real estate is actually what allowed me to get to this place in my life. I started investing in San Diego, California, where I lived for most of my life until I decided to take a leap of faith and move to Colorado. My partner and I sold our home, some unimproved lots, a rental house and my law practice and moved to Ridway in 2003. We bought a 4-acre residential lot and a townhome that we rented out. We built our dream home on the lot. I got my real estate license. I bought and sold several spec and rental homes. I later bought a franchised real estate office.
Then, the the recession hit like a ton of bricks. I eventually closed my real estate office. I worked a few more years as a broker associate at another office. I then got
my license as a mortgage loan originator, which I have been doing now for 2 years. Last year, we sold our dream house (and the big mortgage) and moved into our rental townhome in Ridgway. We survived and simplified.
Through it all, I kept synergy in my life, working hard and playing harder in beautiful Southwestern Colorado. I love to help people do the same. If I can help you or any of your clients, please call or come see me. I'll even play you some Bonnie Raitt!
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