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A transition - From full time real estate to photography! - True Story

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog

It all started in November of 2007. It was a typical busy weekend.
I had 3 clients on the go - Two out of town buyers and an unexpected
call from a client I had worked with before. It all happened Friday 
evening. I went to bed with a splitting headache.

I woke up and there was some extra ringing in my ears. It was like
white noise I had heard nothing like it before. I went downstairs and tryed
to log in to the computer. I couldn't do it. I could not get my hands to
respond. All I knew was that people were counting on me, and that what -ever
was wrong with me would pass.

I rushed to the car and proceeded to my first appointment. My wife had already left
with my kids. I soon found out that I could not seem to get a word out. when I spoke
it was all garbled. I told my clients that I had a cold and was not able to speak with them
and to write down questions and I would get back to them.

By the time I got home I knew that something was majorly wrong with me .... i just had
no idea what it was. I mumbled something to my wife. And she said I looked like a ghost!
then as I sat at the computer  she came over and said the right hand side of my face was droopy.
I knew then that I had a stroke because I had managed to type in droopy face. The result was stroke!
 I told my wife and she nearly fainted. We had both been coming and going with the kids and my schedule was full.

Anyway - 2 weeks later. I got out of the hospital. My blood pressure had been 200/120! I was a walking
time bomb! Took me 6 months to fully recover. But in the mean time -I became right brained.

Web sites and photography were all of a sudden in the for-front. I still kept my licence but the luster
of the deal faded further and further.

Fast forward to 2011. I operate 2 condo websites. Put together they are the most visited real estate
websites in Atlantic Canada.  www.condosnovascotia.com and .ca .   I refer all the deals to my 2 
buddies at Stages real estate.

I operate a website www.localbiznovascotia.com , I've got a photography company that takes pictures
of homes on the MLS(R).

What a transition! Who could have called it?

And my active rain - I actually started posting listings that I photo as part of my service!

Halifax Photography 

 

Joe Woutersz
HUNT Real Estate ERA - Queensbury, NY

My God! What a story!  it just took my breath away.  I am so relieved that you survived and your life has somehow improved! 

Sep 06, 2011 01:51 PM
Paul Viau
Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog - Halifax, NS
Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog + Photo Services

My life has never been better! Thanks !

Sep 06, 2011 01:57 PM
Linda Blumenthal
631-819-2913 - Westhampton Beach, NY
NYS Licenced Real Estate Salesperson, CBR

What a scary story!  I'm so glad you found a new fulfilling direction out of the experience.  Wishing you the very best of health.

Sep 06, 2011 03:21 PM
Mark Delgado
houses for rent, Solano County & Glen Cove - Benicia, CA
Benicia and Vallejo, Property Management, rental h
Fantastic story. (I'd say ending but I'm sure you have more chapters to write). I fancy using the camera myself. I shoot the h
Sep 06, 2011 04:39 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Paul, I am glad you made it thru and survived as best as you could. When I initially saw the headline I thought, yea tough economy many Realtors have to transition...than when I read what happened all I could think was this could be me next, my mother died from a stroke almost four years ago and it feels like yesterday, she had a couple that my parents hid from me.....So take care of yourself...and I am glad you are OK now and making a transition as well.

Sep 07, 2011 06:55 PM
Donna Malone
Waterfront, Luxury, Family, Affordable, Cottage, Deals - Bridgewater, NS
Homes and Property for Sale Nova Scotia

Paul, That was quite a life changing experience.

Nov 09, 2011 11:45 AM