I have been fortunate enough to have traveled through most of the world. I have also been privileged to live in some of the most beautiful places in the world. Sometimes great opportunities are just thrust upon you. All you have to do is accept the gifts and be thankful.
After I moved to Bellevue in 1995, I came across a very interesting employment opportunity. I had a shot at the top job in US Chess Federation. As an avid chess player since the age of eight, I was eager to combine my lifelong passion with an opportunity to run a unique business. The challenge was that their offices were located in Newburgh New York. I went out there a couple of times and was still undecided. As I was contemplating all the pros and cons of this opportunity, an old business associate called to ask if I would be willing to take on a four to six weeks project in Kauai, Hawaii. This was a short-term gig as opposed to a solid, long-term, rather prestigious position. In the end, Kauai, HI won easily over Newburgh, NY., and I found myself in Paradise.
Six weeks turned into four months. Then, even though the pace of work slowed down, the project was still ongoing. I found myself working only about 10 hours per week and spending the rest of the time exploring the beautiful island, that is Kauai. This is when I got my real estate license and started to sell real estate on Kauai.
Recently, I made a listing presentation to list a waterfront home and was asked about my experience of selling waterfront properties. We all had a good laugh when I told them that I started my real estate career in one of the largest and most sought-after waterfront homes, in the world. When I lived on Kauai, friends from the mainland frequently asked if I lived close to the beach. I always chuckled and explained to them that on Kauai, you can be pretty much anywhere on the island; walk in any direction for ten, fifteen, or twenty minutes, and you will be at a beach.
I kept my home in Bellevue throughout this time. It turned out to be the right thing to do. After being in Kauai for about two years, I started to think about moving there permanently. As I got deeper into that thought process, I came to the realization that I really missed being here, in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. So, after a lot of thinking, I returned ‘home’ in late 1999.
I remember distinctly that it poured, non-stop, for almost three months. It was quite a shift from being on sunny Kauai for so long and returning to all that rain. It was interesting to note that in spite of that, I have no regrets. This was home. It most certainly was.
Soon after my return, I started my mortgage banking and brokerage business in downtown Bellevue. This opened the doors for me to meet several real estate agents near me and real estate brokers near me.
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