StarCycles by Georgia Stathis

Sounds like the beginning of a How To manual, doesn't it? The irony of this title is that, in fact, I have really been in real estate since young. My father, who immigrated from Greece, owned an ice cream store for some years when my brother and I were babies, but realized that ice cream wasn't selling in Chicago in the dead of winter! With mouths to feed, he needed to find something else that paid the bills. As providence would have it, he answered an ad in a local newspaper that was offering training and work in real estate. The rest is history. At a young age, our trips to the circus, or, movies, were sometimes interrupted by trips to the building projects, or, dinners with clients. It wasn't always a lot of fun, but it provided a fascinating world, where I learned a lot without really knowing I was learning, particularly about values.

Years later as a young adult and before I became an astrologer, I studied for my real estate license, received it in 1979, worked in the field for several years rather successfully. I had some of the best trainers in the business, but I was also doing astrology at the time. I then had children and my choice became clear. I needed to be home, working and I chose astrology and motherhood. I always went for the more artistic professions, thus, almost thirty years later, I am still an astrologer, lecturer, writer in the field.

The irony, however, is that I never gave up my real estate license, and, actually stayed close to the field, to this day working with my 90-year old father, with his investment business, and having many astro clients that come from the mortgage, lending, and real estate and building business for private or company sessions.

Thus, it wasn't a surprise, that when my daughter headed off for college and my son, who is beginning his trek through higher education—both requiring larger amounts of cash flow, that an opportunity to work with a broker friend of mine in Walnut Creek arose.

In a conversation right after September 11, 2001, I was concerned about business and upcoming costs. I told him at the time that I didn't want to have to do all the traditional sitting at a desk fielding cold calls, keeping a certain inventory, etc. He knew me well and told me that would not be necessary, that I only had to hang my license in Walnut Creek and work when I wanted to.

This has been a great opportunity, exposing me to all the new rules and regulations and expectations of the industry and incorporating those experiences into my private astrological practice. It took some soul searching, some juggling, worrying about what people would think of me…..but after about three years of this, I have reached a good balance. I work with people I know in finding them homes or listing their homes. This has been great, because all that initial game playing that happens in the world of sales is not there. You know who you know and know about them well over time.

So with this really lengthy introduction, I am formally announcing that I am selling real estate in the Contra Costa area and surrounding areas. I've even recently become a Senior Real Estate Specialist. I am glad for any serious referrals you might have to send my way. If I can't do it, I will refer them to someone who can.

This is actually fun, gets me out from behind the computer and the astro desk once in a while and allows me to continue to grow in ideas, opportunities, and joy. Our website is at www.renetexpress.com for easy mortgage calculations, and, for letting us set up a link for that special property for which you are searching. My office is ReNet Express at 1179 Blvd Way, Walnut Creek, CA 94594. (925) 947-0733.

More on real estate ideas in this section of our website as we develop our new website.